Chapter Eight

Odette spent the next few days trying to move forward as if nothing had happened. The flowers Anton sent sat in a glass vase on her kitchen counter, mocking her with their quiet beauty. Amerie had raised an eyebrow at them the moment she saw them but said nothing—an uncharacteristic restraint Odette was grateful for.

At work, things began to settle back into routine. The Rosier project was progressing smoothly, and Odette threw herself into the tasks at hand, determined to keep her focus on the job. But it was impossible to ignore Anton’s looming presence. Though he didn’t approach her again after the presentation, his glances across the office and the quiet way he observed her whenever they were in the same room were enough to send her emotions spiraling.

She told herself she didn’t care. She told herself she was fine. But deep down, she knew she was lying.

On Friday evening, after another long day at work, Odette was locking up her desk when Doug approached her.

“Hey, Dotty,” he said casually, leaning on the partition of her cubicle.

“What’s up, Doug?” she asked, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

“There’s a happy hour tonight at Swan Lake. A few of us are going—care to join?”

Odette hesitated. Swan Lake was the last place she wanted to be, especially after the last time she’d gone there and run into Anton. But she could feel Doug’s hopeful gaze on her, and she didn’t want to let him down.

“Sure,” she said finally. “I could use a drink.”

“Great!” Doug grinned. “Amerie’s coming too, so it’ll be a blast.”

By the time Odette arrived at Swan Lake, the club was already packed. The pounding bass of the music reverberated through the air, and the colorful lights cast a kaleidoscope of shadows across the dance floor. Amerie greeted her with a drink in hand, pulling her into a tight hug.

“You made it!” Amerie exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.

“I did,” Odette replied, taking the drink.

They joined Doug and a few other coworkers at a table near the back. The atmosphere was lively, and Odette found herself relaxing, the tension of the week melting away with each sip of her drink.

For a while, she allowed herself to laugh and enjoy the company of her friends. Doug was his usual charming self, cracking jokes and keeping everyone entertained. Amerie was in her element, dancing with wild abandon and dragging Odette onto the dance floor with her.

It wasn’t until much later that Odette felt the shift in the air. A prickling sensation ran down her spine, and she knew without looking that Anton was there. She turned her head slightly, scanning the room, and her heart sank when she saw him near the bar.

He wasn’t alone.

Daisy stood beside him, her hand resting on his arm as she leaned in close, laughing at something he said. Odette’s chest tightened, and she quickly looked away, trying to ignore the wave of jealousy that surged through her.

“Are you okay?” Amerie asked, noticing the change in her expression.

“Fine,” Odette lied. “I think I need some air.”

Amerie frowned but didn’t press her, allowing Odette to slip away.

Odette stepped out into the cool night air, wrapping her arms around herself as she leaned against the wall of the club. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart.

The door opened behind her, and she didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“Are you following me now?” she asked, her voice laced with irritation.

“No,” Anton replied, his tone calm. “But I saw you leave and thought you might need someone to talk to.”

“I don’t,” she said flatly, refusing to look at him.

They stood in silence for a moment, the sounds of the city filling the space between them.

“I’m sorry,” Anton said finally, his voice low.

“For what?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“For everything,” he replied. “For leaving, for hurting you, for not being honest with you. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I need you to know that I regret it all. Every single day.”

His words hit her like a tidal wave, and she turned to face him, her eyes blazing.

“Do you think saying you’re sorry is enough?” she demanded. “Do you think that erases the years of pain and confusion I went through because of you?”

“No,” he said quietly. “I don’t. But I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you if you’ll let me.”

She shook her head, tears stinging her eyes. “You don’t get it, Anton. You broke me. And I don’t know if I can ever put myself back together again, let alone let you back into my life.”

“I do get it,” he said, stepping closer. “I know I hurt you, and I hate myself for it. But I also know that I’ve never stopped loving you, Odette. Not for a single moment.”

His words hung in the air, raw and unfiltered. Odette wanted to scream, to cry, to throw something at him. But instead, she whispered the truth she had been holding onto for years.

“I loved you, Anton,” she said, her voice trembling. “But I don’t know if I can do it again.”

He looked at her, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and despair. “I’m not asking for your love right now,” he said. “I’m asking for a chance. A chance to prove to you that I can be the man you deserve.”

Odette stared at him, her emotions a tangled mess. She didn’t know if she could trust him, but a small part of her wanted to believe in the possibility of redemption.

“I don’t know,” she said finally. “I need time.”

“I’ll wait,” he said softly. “As long as it takes.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the quiet night, her heart heavier than ever.