Chapter 566

Chapter 566:

A note at the bottom added, almost casually, that Ashton’s ex-girlfriend, a jewelry designer based partly in Paris, had been absent from public view, “perhaps laying down roots abroad p>

That last line twisted like a knife.

I forced myself to breathe. This was not the first time I had seen Ashton in the news with another woman.

Rowan Hale had once plastered her smile across the tabloids beside his. That story had been nothing but a manipulation on Rowan’s part, designed to drag him into her spotlight.

I had sworn I would not be fooled again.

But reason did nothing to stop the hollow ache spreading in my chest.

My hand shook as I set the phone down.

I had broken up with Ashton. I was the one who had looked him in the eye and told him I could not stay. I had no right to feel this way now—not jealous, not angry, not anything. He was free to dine with anyone he pleased. I had handed him that freedom myself.

And yet, the thought of him with her made me feel as if someone had reached inside and torn something loose.

“What happened?” Carmen’s voice broke into my spiraling thoughts.

“Nothing,” I said.

She leaned over the coffee table and glimpsed my screen. Her gaze flicked to the headline, then back to me.

“Ah,” she murmured, her expression darkening. “This rubbish again p>

“I shouldn’t even care,” I said quickly. “I ended things with him. It isn’t my business p>

“That may be what you tell yourself, but I know better. You love him. That is why it hurts p>

I looked away.

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Carmen reached for my hand. Her grip was firm, almost fierce. “Don’t let a photograph make you run. This is still your home. You belong here as much as he does. He would want you to stay p>

I shook my head. “I can’t. Not like this. Not when he could walk through that door at any moment and see me falling apart. I can’t let him see me like this p>

Carmen’s voice dropped to a plea. “Please. Stay. I’ll make you tea. I’ll keep you company. Just don’t leave like a thief in the night p>

I forced a smile, though it wavered. “I have something I need to take care of. I will come back. Thank you for everything p>

She looked as though she wanted to argue, but she only sighed and kissed my cheek before letting me go.

The air outside was sharp and cold, as if the city had grown teeth. I walked quickly, head down, not trusting myself to glance back at the house.

By the time I reached Oakwood Apartments, the sky had already darkened. The building loomed, familiar yet strange at the same time. Ashton had bought the entire place once, simply to be near me. He had even taken the flat opposite mine.

I stood in the hallway, my key heavy in my hand. My eyes flicked across the corridor to the door opposite.

I could still picture him leaning against that doorframe, cool and self-assured, as if he had known from the very beginning how to unravel me.