All Chapters of Ten Years Too Much: Chapter 11 - Chapter 18

I arrived at the racetrack where my friend Jules Gallagher worked as a race driver coach.Jules had been my best friend since childhood. We used to promise each other we'd become the coolest race coaches ever after graduation, but I changed my mind after meeting Ronan.At the time, he seemed more important than my dream.Jules and I had a big fight about it. She called me naive and accused me of being too obsessed with love. "You'll regret this one day! Men can't be relied on—you'll see!"I had assumed she was standing in the way of my happiness, but now I understood she'd been trying to protect me.When I arrived, Jules was coaching a young teenager. It had been a decade since we'd last spoken—or even seen each other.Seeing her again after so long stunned me. The youthful energy I remembered was gone, replaced by a taller, fitter, and more confident presence.I wanted to approach her, but a sudden wave of doubt held me back.Then she looked up, her eyes widening in surprise.

Ronan trembled, his palm slick with sweat.Cordelia knew. He hadn't expected her to, but she knew.But how? He had hidden it so well!"I can explain—"The call ended abruptly. Cordelia had hung up.His phone slipped from his hand with a dull thud.The black screen mirrored the despair and guilt etched across his face. He had a sinking feeling—this was it. Cordelia was truly done with him.He tried calling again, but his attempts were futile. He dialed her best friend, Jules, but as soon as the call connected, all he heard were insults."You fucking douchebag! Go fuck your perfect woman instead of bothering Cordelia!"The call ended just as abruptly.Ronan lowered his head in defeat.He had been an artist since childhood, and by now, he was a respected painter and professor. Everyone admired him. He had never known what it felt like to be unwanted.This was the first time he felt utterly helpless. What was he supposed to do?He couldn't let her leave him. He loved her!Yes

I started to walk away, but Ronan followed me. "It's not like I've committed the gravest sin, right? Can't you just give me another chance?"Man, he really was full of it.I turned my attention to the race cars in front of me and had an idea. "You want another chance?"He nodded. "Yes.""Fine! Be my passenger. We'll drive a lap. If you can handle it without throwing up, I'll give you another chance.""B-But…" he stammered hesitantly.I knew why. Painting was all he ever did. There was no way he could stomach this.By the time Ronan was in the passenger seat, his face had turned a little pale.I laughed and slammed on the gas pedal, driving at my fastest.The car roared, its engine booming. He clenched his eyes shut, his lips ghastly pale.I felt exhilarated. For ten years, I'd forced myself to act like a feminine, traditional wife. But he'd never tried to be a part of my real life before.I wanted him to see this side of me.…Soon, we finished the lap.As soon as Ronan s

Ronan lingered in the stadium long after Cordelia had left, still in disbelief. The woman he had been obsessing over was her all along.She was right there. She was his!But then again, the only time he had ever been intimate with her had been while drunk, in the darkness. He hadn't seen her body, hadn't realized it was her.He had mistaken that woman for someone else.He wanted to slap himself.Desperate to see her again, he sought her out.Cordelia, however, remained in her office, refusing to come out. She spoke through the door, her voice firm. "I didn't tell you this so you'd try to win me back. I just want you to know that there can only be one person in your heart."And you married me while secretly in love with someone else. That woman might have been me, but if it weren't… would you justify your affair with Christine forever, just because of that?"Ronan froze, unable to respond. Cordelia was right. Without a doubt, he was wrong. He shouldn't have tried to care for t