All Chapters of His Return, My Ruin: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

I put my phone in my bag and repeat to myself once again that this cannot go on—I need to resolve something with Jaden and Isaac. The problem is that my heart rejects the answer my mind presents to me every time. I teeter on the edge of a lie, avoiding meetings with both of them. However, not responding to Jaden's messages is beyond my control. I cannot deny myself their messages and our furtive glances.After waiting until the crowd disappears behind the auditorium doors, I look around. Making sure no one is following me, I quickly go up to the second floor. There's one minute left before the lecture starts, which means I'll be late to class for the first time. What am I doing? Since when did I start acting so recklessly? And why, knowing this, am I not ready to turn back?Jaden is waiting for me at the spot where we agreed to meet. He's leaning against the wall. Seeing him makes my heart quicken as usual, and I suddenly realize how much I've missed him."It's not safe to meet like t

“What would you like to know?”"Everything."Jaden puts his hands on his knees and looks down at his feet. The silence lasts for almost a minute, but I wait patiently, knowing that he will start talking sooner or later.After we left your house, my mother changed jobs three times before finding work with a family. The pay was good, but it was difficult for her to get to work because the house was in an upscale neighborhood and we couldn't afford to rent an apartment nearby. The owners provided a room for the maid on the condition that she would live there alone. They were categorically opposed to having other people's children in their home. She needed the job, so I was sent to live with my uncle.Jaden falls silent, plucks a blade of grass, and begins to twirl it in his hands. I silently watch the movement of his fingers, mentally begging him to continue."I lived with him for thirteen years. Rosa worked in that house for two years and then decided to return to Portugal.“Didn't she

Jaden smirks, conceding defeat, and shoves his hands into his jeans pockets."I'm not home much, so I don't cook often. Follow me."The kitchen is small and immaculately clean with cream-colored cabinets, a refrigerator, a square table by the window, and a minimal amount of dishes."Sweetheart," I start, smiling and unable to resist a playful remark. "She's so...feminine."I've never been able to embarrass Jaden, and this time is no exception. His face remains calm, and his eyes are serious."Maybe she was waiting for you, Tasha.""You know perfectly well that I can't cook. You've seen my sandwiches.”"Who said you had to cook? You could just be here."Suddenly, I can clearly picture it: me sitting at this table wearing Jaden's T-shirt and holding a mug of coffee, him sitting across from me with a smile on his beautiful lips. The image freezes before my eyes like a paused movie frame, and no matter how hard I try to shake it off, it won't go away. What's happening to me? Is this how I

"Maybe we should all fly to Orlando together?" Tyra smiles as she looks around the table, her perfectly lined eyes stopping on me. "Isaac and Clark fly there every week. Why don't we support our men and organize a weekend together?"I can tell from the slight twitch of her mother's nose that she would prefer to spend her time getting a massage at a country club, but she remains silent, looking questioningly at her father."Why not?" he says absently, taking a sip of wine. "A change of scenery is always good."After his company merged with Fury, Dad became more relaxed and distanced himself from business, quietly handing over authority to Gordon. Mom told me that he still owns sixty percent of the shares, but it's clear that he's no longer excited about his work. Perhaps it's his age—he'll be fifty this year."I have a lot of schoolwork to do," I say, trying hard to hold Tyra's gaze, which seems to be trying to pierce right through my skull. "And I'm organizing a Halloween party."All

On the way to Jaden's apartment, I receive a barrage of calls from Mom, Dad, and Isaac. When I see Tyra's number on the screen, I simply turn my phone off. I don't know why, but she's currently annoying me the most, especially when I imagine her face as she holds the phone to her ear, convinced that I'll answer. She's a grown-up idiot. Why should I answer her when I'm ignoring my own parents?Thankfully, it takes me half an hour to get to Jaden's house, as traffic is light after ten o'clock at night. I park my car in his yard and freeze, clutching the steering wheel. What am I doing? I'll spend the night at his place and turn off my phone, but what will I do tomorrow? I can hide for a day or two, but what then? My behavior is scandalous by any standard. I showed disrespect to the hosts by leaving the family dinner early, leaving Isaac to explain himself. Only God knows what he said about his swollen lip, but I highly doubt he used the popular excuse, "I hit my head on the doorframe."