Chapter 8 - Ryan’s Last Bargain
Ryan Whitmore lost his company three months later.
His investors filed lawsuits. His partners turned over financial records. The banks called in loans he could not repay.
Then he came to Adrien’s office with one final offer.
Clare was there by choice.
Ryan looked thinner than before. His confidence had been replaced by fear.
“I can make this all disappear,” he said. “I will sign whatever statements you want. I will admit the financial mistakes. Just convince Clare to withdraw her family’s support for the investigation.”
Adrien’s expression remained cold.
“You are asking the woman you betrayed to save you again.”
Ryan looked at Clare.
“I made a mistake.”
Clare stood.
“You did not make one mistake, Ryan. You made a thousand choices.”
“I loved you.”
“No,” she said quietly. “You loved being admired by me. You loved having access to my family. You loved knowing I would forgive you.”
Ryan’s eyes filled with regret.
For a moment, Clare almost felt sorry for him.
Then she remembered standing alone in the bridal suite.
She remembered the empty altar.
She remembered the way he had expected her to wait.
“I hope you become better,” she told him. “But you will not become better because I rescue you from consequences.”
Ryan said nothing.
He left the office alone.
This time, there was no sister calling him back.
No fiancée waiting for him.
May you like
No future he could manipulate into returning.
Only the life he had chosen.
