All Chapters of After They Chose Her and Left Me Behind, I Walked Away From the Family: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

By the time I got back to the estate, it was pitch dark.The living room was lit up bright. Irene was curled up on the sofa eating dessert.Alex and my brother Victor were sitting beside her, a freshly opened bottle of wine in front of all three.When she saw me walk in, Irene immediately sat up straight and shot the two of them a smug look."Called it. I knew she'd find her way back tonight.""You two lost. I get to run the family schedule for the next month."Victor leaned back into the sofa and scoffed. "What'd you do, leave her breadcrumbs or something?""Last time she got lost at the docks it took her half a day. No phone today and she's back in under three hours?"Alex didn't say anything. He just looked up at me for a second.He's my fiancé. We grew up together. The family's chosen heir.Our parents arranged the engagement when we were kids. Back then, he used to hold my hand and walk me home from the little path outside the estate every single time.He told me over and over tha

I froze for a few seconds. Then I realized how ridiculous my own question was.That day on Fifth Avenue, I'd only stepped around the corner to grab a coffee. When I came back, all three of them were gone.So while I was wandering unfamiliar streets for hours, texting and calling and getting no reply from any of them, they were at a private club helping Irene pick out riding outfits.It wasn't that they didn't see my messages.They just didn't think of me.Victor finally realized he'd said too much. His hand froze mid-scroll, and for the first time, he looked uncomfortable."Wait, no. I'm mixing things up.""You weren't there that day."Like he was afraid I'd keep asking, he quickly added: "I was gonna call you, but that place was mostly for Irene to try stuff on. Figured you wouldn't care."I looked at him quietly.In that moment, I didn't even know what I was hoping for.For him to realize he'd made a mistake?Or for him to suddenly remember that maybe I'd want to go shopping with the

On the way to the airport, my father called me personally.It was loud on his end. He was still at the New York headquarters dealing with family business. I could make out people briefing him about the port and the casino. He went quiet for a few seconds before lowering his voice."Lilith, you're really going through with this?""Yeah.""I probably can't make it to see you off today." There was real guilt in his voice. "Don't try to tough things out over there. The European division is our territory, but it's not New York. If anything comes up, go to our people first. If you need money, if you need anything, just tell me."I held the phone, and my eyes stung for no reason.He'd already gone through all of this with me the night before. More than once. He even had someone put together a file on which streets near the European division weren't safe."I know.""And one more thing." He paused. His voice went soft. "If you really can't get used to it, come home. New York will always be your

Two days later, Sienna really did take me to the bay.Right before we left, she tossed me the car keys."You're driving today."I nearly choked. "Me?""Yep."She pointed at the GPS on her phone."Isn't this what you wanted? Practice your sense of direction?""Starting today, you're in charge of getting us there."I took a wrong turn three times along the way.The first time, she just reminded me to check the road signs.The second time, she told me to back up and figure it out myself.The third time, she finally burst out laughing."Lilith, you really do have a gift."My face went red. "What kind of gift?""The gift of turning a straight road into a maze."I laughed in spite of myself and smacked her arm.We made it to the bay in the end.On the way back, she turned off my GPS."Now take us home."I stood there staring at the map for a while, then picked a road and committed to it.I took two wrong turns in the middle, but I actually found the division.When I parked the car, even I co

A few days later, Alex actually showed up in Europe.Sienna told me he was waiting outside the division.I didn't hide.But when I walked out, the anticipation I used to feel was gone.Alex was standing by the car.He looked more worn out than before.When he saw me, he looked me up and down."You've lost weight."I smiled."Busy over here."He stared at me for a long time."Why aren't you answering my messages?""Because there's nothing to say."His expression stiffened."Is there nothing left between us either?"I looked at him."Alex, do you remember what you told me when we were kids?"He didn't answer."You said as long as you were around, I'd never get lost.""And then you were the one who left me in places I didn't know."His throat moved."I know I messed up.""I just didn't think you'd actually leave."I shook my head gently."I didn't leave out of nowhere.""You pushed me away. A little at a time."He stood there. Didn't argue.After a long silence, he asked quietly. "Will yo