“The last one was…” He looked thoughtful. “Huh, I guess it was Kristen. It followed the usual pattern. We got together about five years back, and everything was great at first.”
“So what happened?”
“Life happened—like it always does. My mom got sick, and my priorities took a major turn. Meanwhile, Kristen’s career was really taking off, and she wanted to live it up—go out and have a good time. She didn’t know how to be what I needed back then, and it all sort of fractured apart. Luckily, neither of us were in too deep. There weren’t any hearts broken. We just realized it wasn’t working. What we’d built wasn’t strong enough to stay standing once it was put to the test. That’s how it always goes. Love doesn’t last.”
That’s not trueI wanted to scream, but screaming at him wouldn’t fix this. I had to get him to see sense. Had to get him to realize that lovecouldwork,couldlast,couldbe worth the effort. I’d thought we were building something together that could be all of those things and I didn’t want to admit that I was wrong.
I didn’t want to think that I’d been building alone all this time.
“Tell that to Harrison and Gwen,” I said. “You and I both know that they’re an amazing couple. And your parents seemed to have had a pretty solid relationship as well, from what I’ve heard.”
He didn’t seem impressed. “Yeah, and people get struck by lightning sometimes. It’s possible but doesn’t make it likely. Look, I’m not saying no one should be in a relationship. Enjoy the good times while they last. But everyone would be better off if they’d accept their relationships for what they are—and what they’re not.”
“So where does that leaveus?” I finally asked.
He had the nerve to look startled. “Us?” he repeated.
“Is our relationship just another one that’s doomed to fail? Are you making the most of the sex and companionship while you have it on tap, all while you’re waiting for it to fall apart?”
“I wasn’t talking about us,” he sputtered.
“I’mtalking about us,” I shot back. “Are we building something real here, or has this all been a waste of my time?”
Voices got louder outside the door. Another fight, maybe? Seemed likely—almost inevitable, really—with the way Dorian had been so determinedly stirring the pot. I was more than happy to ignore it, but Drew’s eyes went straight to the door like nothing else mattered.
“Look, we can talk about this later,” Drew stated. “There’s plenty more for you to worry about out there.”
So, that was my answer. I didn’t matter. Our relationship didn’t matter. All that mattered to Drew was someone else’s wedding. He wasn’t willing to put in the work for anything else.
And that meant I was ready to be done too, just not how he intended. I tugged at the ring on my finger only to discover that it was going totake some effort to remove it, like the few weeks I’d been wearing it had anchored it onto me.
I finally managed to pull it off. As much as I wanted to throw it in his face, it was his mother’s ring, and even though I had zero respect forhim, I opted to be respectful with the important piece of jewelry.
I held the ring up in front of me.
“What are you doing?” Drew frowned.
All of the emotions I’d been fighting to tamp down overwhelmed me at the sight of his confused face.Howcould he not know that I was upset, and hurt? Did he seriously think he could belittle our entire relationship and I’d be cool with it?
“If our relationship means so little to you then you might as well take this back,” I said.
“Emilia, come on,” he huffed, glancing between the ring and my face. “You’re being stupid.”
I lowered my hand, still clutching the ring. “I’m sorry?Whatdid you just call me?”
He sighed again, like he was bored with the conversation. “Put the ring back on.”
“There’s no point,” I insisted. “If none of this matters there’s no reason for us to bother with the fake engagement.”
I held my breath, hoping that maybe he’d snap out of his haze and realize that despite the fake set-up, we’d become something he cared about saving.
Drew’s expression morphed into an expression thatalmostlooked like sadness before settling back into a withering glare.
“We have an agreement,” he said slowly. “You need to wear that ring for one more day if you want the payout you so clearly need.”
What the hell didthatmean? My face burned at him calling me out so callously.
My eyes welled, but I forced myself to stay strong. He didn’t deserve a single tear.
