“Because he’s clearly broken,” she says matter-of-factly. “And it’s not your job to fix him.”
The words weigh heavy on my chest, but I’ll do well to remember them if I have any chance of piecing myself back together.
After I hang up the call, I check out of the hotel and catch a cab to the airport, the knot in my stomach growing tighter with every second that passes.
I sit in the back seat with my arms crossed over my chest, staring out the window at the blur of lights that pass by.
Vegas feels like a fever dream now, a place I never should have come to with Ronan.
By the time I get to the airport and check in, it’s nearly eleven, and the first-class lounge is almost completely empty.
I settle into a seat at one of the tables hidden away in a corner and pull my phone out of my purse, checking it once again to see if Ronan has called or at least messaged to apologize for abandoning me at the restaurant.
But he’s radio silent.
I sip on some complimentary champagne in the hopes that it will dull the ache in my chest, but the alcohol only spikes my anxiety. I’m tempted to call Mila back just to try to distract myself, but I also don’t want to be the friend who’s constantly complaining.
This is my mess, and I need to fix it.
Though how I’m going to do that, I have no idea.
I might be leaving Ronan behind in Vegas, but when I get back to New York, I can’t run from my reality. He’s still my husband, unless Callum manages to get me out of it…
Twenty-four hours ago, I considered talking my brother out of his stupid plans, but after the stunt Ronan pulled in the restaurant, I don’t want to be caught in his web any longer.
I glance out of the window at the runway below, but it’s so dark outside that my reflection stares back at me.
The girl in the glass looks like a stranger, with smudged mascara and messy hair, and a heart that has been shattered into a million tiny pieces.
I want to cling to the memory of the Ronan who slid his hand into mine on the plane when he could tell I was panicking. The one who made me laugh when I needed it most.
Then I think about the way he left without a second thought, and the illusion I’ve created of him in my mind shatters.
I’m done.
I’m done waiting around for a man to decide whether or not he wants me.
From now on, I’m going to put myself first because it’s clear nobody else is going to.
Chapter Thirty-Five
RONAN
I takethe elevator to the penthouse with my hands stuffed into my pockets and my heart pounding in my ears.
It wasn’t the best decision to walk out of the restaurant and leave Ciara alone, but I needed to collect myself before I did something stupid like spill all of her father’s dirty laundry in the middle of La Rosetta. There’s a time and place for that sort of conversation, and a Michelin- star restaurant isn’t one of them.
So here I am again, ready to eat my damn pride and apologize after walking out on my wife. I swear, I’ve never had to try this hard with any woman before. But then, I’ve neverwantedto. But I want her.
I wanther.
Something about Ciara makes me want to make it right, and I only hope I’m not too late.
I walked for over an hour, and when I finally made it back to the restaurant, she’d gone, so I hurried back to the hotel, hoping she hadn’t found a way to lock me out.
Stepping off the elevator, I shove the keycard into the lock and shoulder the door to the penthouse suite open.
“Ciara?”
