Page 94 of The Ruin I Chose

“Must be nice, surrounded by art, wine, and beautiful women.”

“It has its charm. Though I’ve found the women from here far more… challenging.”

“Challenging? Or just harder to impress?” he said, smirking.

I didn’t bother answering him.

“Roxanne’s always had a thing for complicated men. You must’ve seemed exotic enough to qualify.”

I ran my tongue over my teeth.

“Funny. I thought she liked men who gave some meaning to her life, not just those who took up space.”

I could see Vihaan’s smile fade as he stepped towards me.

“You lured her away with your charm, your accent, your lifestyle. She fell for the fantasy.”

“I didn’t lure her. She wasn’t yours then; she isn’t yours now.” I stood up, almost flipping the chair I was sitting on.

“She chose to walk away. And you didn’t even notice.”

“You think the two of you will work out eventually. No, my friend. You’re wrong. She has a void no man can fill. Least of all you. Soon she’ll come to her senses, realising that all you’ll do is cause her more pain.”

“You think she prefers silence? I’d rather be the storm that rips the silence apart and tries to fill her void.”

We were inches apart. My fists had already balled, ready to swing at his clenched jaw. He was lucky Roxanne stepped in.

“Enough. I’m not hosting a dick-measuring contest that ends in a sword fight.”

I smirked at Roxanne’s comment. Roxanne placed her hand on Vihaan’s shoulder and said softly.

“Vihaan, I think you should leave. You need to cool off.”

“Oh. So you’re already taking his side now. Has he already moved in? Or are you just done pretending you haven’t slept with him?”

Roxanne took a deep breath and said, “Please don’t make a scene. He’s just a guest.”

Vihaan looked at her, disappointed, and walked away. His silence was louder than anything he could’ve said.

I wanted to hold Roxanne. To tell her it wasn’t her fault. That everything would be fine. That I would swallow whatever storm came for her. But I held back and I gave her the space she needed.

Because some apologies arrive naked; some need patient, quieter work. And I would wait—even if it carved me open.

CHAPTER 37

MARCELLO

The days blurred.

Roxanne avoided me—not with hostility, but with precision.

She moved around me like I was furniture—present, tolerated, irrelevant. A punishment that hurt more because I knew I deserved it.

Vihaan lingered more than usual, trying to reclaim space that no longer belonged to him. Her mother stayed in Kyra’s room, keeping the house full—and guarded.

It was clear: Roxanne didn’t want me making a move. Not with her daughter and mother around. Not yet.

There were glances. Quiet ones. Her eyes would flick to mine and then away, like they’d touched something too hot. Sometimes the look lasted a second too long, just enough to keep me hopeful, just enough to break me.