Chapter 4 I can't think straight

“You didn’t throw away our relationship like trash?”

He didn’t reply.

I smiled. “Then why are you quiet, Ryan?”

Isabelle touched his arm. “Baby… just tell her she is wrong…”

He shook her hand off.

She looked hurt. “Ryan?”

He ignored her. “Iris… listen. I made a mistake. Okay?”

I blinked my eyes. Oh. Now he wanted to talk nicely.

“A mistake?” I repeated. “You call cheating a mistake?”

“I was drunk,” he said quickly.

“You were naked,” I said. “Big difference.”

He flinched.

Isabelle whimpered, “Ryan… please…”

He snapped, “Not now!”

She went silent like someone had muted her.

Ryan looked at me again. His voice dropped low. “Iris. Just give me the papers. Please. We don’t have to do this.”

I smirked proudly. “You said please again.”

He looked ashamed.

“You’re enjoying this,” he muttered.

“You enjoyed breaking me,” I replied softly.

His face fell. For a second, he looked someone who feels pain. Then it disappeared.

He stepped closer. “I can fix this.”

“That’s cute,” I said. “But I’m not interested.”

“You’re doing this because you’re angry,” he pressed.

“No,” I shook my head. “I am doing this because you’re stupid.”

His jaw tightened. “I can destroy you.”

“Not anymore,” I said. “You don’t even own your own office.”

He looked around like the walls were laughing at him.

Isabelle burst into fake tears again. “Ryan, do something! She is scaring me!”

I sighed. “You know what, Isabelle? You should join acting classes. You’re almost good.”

She hiccuped like I did something wrong to her. “Why are you being so mean to me? I never hurt you!”

“You slept with my fiancé,” I reminded her.

She frowned. “That’s not hurting. That’s love.”

I blinked. “Girl… what?”

She nodded innocently. “Love happens. It’s not my fault he likes me more.”

I stared at her. “You’re insane.”

She beamed in joy. “Thank you!”

“That wasn’t a compliment…” I glared at her.

But then Ryan suddenly threw a chair across the room.

Both of us froze.

It hit the wall with a loud crash.

His chest was heaving. “STOP FIGHTING!”

Isabelle screamed and jumped into his arms. “Ryan! I am scared! Protect me!”

He pushed her away.

Her face fell. “R… Ryan?”

His hands shook as he pointed at her. “Get out.”

“What?” she was in disbelief.

“I SAID GET OUT!” he roared.

She turned pale white, tears fell out of her eyes real this time. She looked at me. “This is your fault!” she cried. “You ruined everything!”

“Sweetheart,” I said gently, “everything was already ruined when you took off your clothes.”

She sobbed loudly and ran out of the office.

Ryan collapsed into his chair like the world was too heavy.

He rubbed his face. “Iris… just stop this. Please.”

“You’re begging now,” I said softly. “How charming.”

“I’m not begging… ” he shook his head.

“You are,” I said. “And you know what? I love it.”

He looked up, angry and desperate. “What do you want from me?!”

“I want you,” I whispered, stepping closer.

He froze.

I leaned in a little more.

“I want you to understand,” I said softly, “that the moment you betrayed me… you didn’t just lose me.”

He swallowed, waiting for me to finish.

“You lost EVERYTHING.”

His lips parted, but no sound came out.

“And now…” I whispered in his ear, “You get to watch me walk away with the empire you thought you had own.”

I stepped back.

He looked broken.

“Iris…” he spoke. “I… I didn’t know you could be this cruel.”

“I learned from the best,” I said.

I walked to the door, opened it, but then paused, “And Ryan…” I looked over my shoulder.

He lifted his head slowly.

“This is just the beginning.”

I closed the door.

Three days passed, three whole days since I ended Ryan’s world. And in these three days, he didn’t stop. Not for once. Not for a single hour. My phone was full of missed calls and messages. My doorstep was full of flowers that I had to throw in the trash every morning.

I didn’t open my door until the night I felt someone watching me. I pulled the curtain slightly to see who it was.

Ryan’s black car was parked outside. He had turned his engine off, lights off. He was just sitting there, in the dark, watching my house quietly.

I just watched him for a couple of seconds before I headed back to my room.

Next morning, I reached my office and froze.

Ryan was standing outside the building, his eyes were set on me. He looked tired! His eyes were red, his hair was messy, and his shirt was wrinkled. It didn’t look like he slept for the last couple of days.

He walked to me slowly, “Iris…”

“Move,” I said.

He stepped in front of me. “I need to talk.”

“You lost that right,” I replied.

He breathed heavily. “I’ll wait.”

“You already are.” I met his eyes.

“I’ll wait forever,” he replied.

I looked at him. He didn’t look like he was lying. But I wasn’t going to forgive him.

I walked past him, touching his shoulder lightly.

He shivered. Like, even my smallest touch controlled him.

Inside the Elevator:

Before the doors closed, a hand reached out and stopped them.

Ryan stepped inside the elevator.

“I said move,” I warned.

He shook his head. “No.”

I pressed the button harder. “You’re annoying.”

“You’re haunting me,” his voice trembled.

“That’s your guilt, not me,” I said fiercely.

“My guilt has your face,” he said. “Your voice. Your smell.”

I rolled my eyes. “Get help.”

He stepped closer. “I can’t sleep.”

“Good.” I nodded.

“I can’t eat.” He continued.

“Good.” I said again.

“I can’t think straight…” He continued further.

“Perfect.” I smiled.

He grabbed my arm, his voice breaking. “Iris… PLEASE. Don’t walk away from me.”

I snatched my arm back. “You should’ve thought about that before taking off your clothes for Isabelle.”

His jaw tightened. “I was…”