Chapter 6

Ryan's POV

The deal was done within the hour. The firm was mine, and with it, the opportunity I’d been waiting for. All that was left was to find her, to confront her, to make her understand that she couldn’t just walk away from what we had.

But as I sat in the office that was now mine, the reality of what I was about to do started to sink in. She left because she thought I’d lied to her, used her to get what I wanted. And in a way, she was right. I hadn’t been completely honest with her about who I was, about the life I led. But I never meant to hurt her. I never wanted her to leave.

And I agree that she was hurt, but she should have stayed and confronted me; I would have explained why I did that. 

I had a very valid reason for doing so, but why did she leave without saying anything when I was not there and had gone to work for a few days? When  I came back after 15 days, I was shocked to see that it was gone, vanished in the thin air. No one knew anything about her, not even George or her family. 

I’d spent the last six years trying to make up for that mistake, trying to find her so I could explain, so I could tell her that despite everything, I loved her. But the truth was, I didn’t know if she’d even listen. She might hate me now, more than ever.

But I couldn’t let that stop me. I had to see her again, had to make her understand that what we had was real, that it wasn’t just some game to me. I needed her back in my life, no matter what it took.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. The next time I saw her, I wouldn’t let her slip away. This time, I’d make sure she stayed, whether she wanted to or not. The stakes were too high to lose her again.

It was time to go to the firm and see her. My heart raced at the thought, a mix of anticipation, fear, and determination swirling within me. I had waited long enough. It was time to get her back.

When I arrived at the firm, the first thing I noticed was her presence everywhere. Her picture was on the notice board, along with other employees—just a simple photo, but it was enough to make my chest tighten. Her name was neatly displayed on a plaque outside a small but well-kept cabin, marking it as hers. I stood outside the door for a long moment, my hand hovering over the handle, resisting the urge to go inside. I could feel her there, in the space she’d made her own, but there was no sign of her.

I finally asked one of the employees casually if she was in. They told me she was on vacation—ten days away, and still four days left until she returned. My frustration surged, but I forced myself to keep calm. I couldn’t let anyone suspect that I had a personal interest in her. The last thing I wanted was to tip her off that I was here, in case she decided to run again. The risk was too great.

So, I waited. Four long, excruciating days. Each one was a test of my patience and my control. I kept myself busy, going through the motions of business, but my mind was constantly on her. Where was she? Who was she with? The thought of her with someone else gnawed at me, stoking a jealousy I hadn’t felt in years. She was out there, enjoying herself, while I’d spent six years searching for her, turning over every stone, only to come up empty-handed—until now.

When the day finally came and she walked back into the office, it was like time stopped. She looked even more stunning than I remembered, more polished, more confident. There was a new elegance about her, a sophistication that hadn’t been there before. She’d gained a few pounds, but they suited her, accentuating her curves in all the right places. She looked more beautiful, more sensual than ever, and it took everything in me not to just march over to her, pull her into my arms, and never let go.

But that anger, that jealousy, simmered beneath the surface. She had been off somewhere, on vacation with someone else, while I had been going out of my mind trying to find her. The thought of her laughing, relaxing, being with another man while I was searching every corner of the globe for her—it burned.

I watched her from a distance, unnoticed, as she settled back into her routine, greeting colleagues, catching up on work. She was completely oblivious to my presence, to the storm that was brewing just out of her sight. I couldn’t decide if I was more furious or relieved. Part of me wanted to confront her right then and there, demand answers, demand her love. But the rational part of me knew I had to wait. I had to play this carefully.

She was here, within reach, and this time, I wouldn’t lose her again. But how could she move on so easily, as if what we had meant nothing? The jealousy twisted in my gut, making it hard to think clearly. I had to remind myself that patience was key. I had to make her see that what we had wasn’t over, that it was far from over.

I couldn’t let her know I was here, not yet. I needed to understand who she had become, what her life was like now, and most importantly, who had been with her during those ten days. And once I had that information, once I was sure, I’d make my move.

For now, I’d watch. I’d wait. But the anger and jealousy simmered just beneath the surface, threatening to boil over the moment I finally confronted her. And when that moment came, I knew I wouldn’t hold back.