Chapter 6
I wrapped up my debut with poise and confidence, leaving an impression that made it. impossible for future partners to dismiss me.
If I played my cards right, my messy past could shrink into a footnote—a fleeting tale of youthful recklessness.
When the gala finally ended and the guests had trickled out, only one outsider lingered.
Tyler stood next to my dad, his posture stiff, his gaze lowered like he was deep in thought.
I had a feeling what was coming, and my father confirmed it with his next words.
“Selene, Tyler mentioned that now you’re divorced, your engagement could be reinstated. What do you think?”
Tyler’s head shot up, his eyes locked on mine, full of hope.
I glanced away, turning to my dad with a practiced smile. “An engagement? That’s not even on the table right now. My career comes first. Getting engaged so soon after a divorce wouldn’t exactly help my reputation–or my growth.”
Dad nodded, respecting my answer. He always did, except for the one time I’d recklessly chased after love.
He turned to Tyler. “You heard her, Tyler. Selene isn’t considering that for now. You should
И
“It’s fine. I can wait,” Tyler cut in, his voice calm but firm as he looked directly at me. “I’ll wait as long as it takes for your career to stabilize.”
I opened my mouth to respond but couldn’t find the words.
His unwavering devotion baffled me, his sincerity so intense it almost felt unreal.
I forced a polite, awkward smile and quickly excused myself, heading off to oversee the farewell arrangements.
After sending off the persistent suitor, my dad wasted no time starting his interrogation.
“Have you cut all ties with Tom?”
I froze for a second, then sighed. “What do you think? He showed up with his pregnant girlfriend at the gala.”
My dad clicked his tongue in irritation. “Tom’s looks toward you are far from innocent. It’s obvious he regrets it.”
Chapter 6
+25 BONUS
“Then he’s shameless,” I shot back, rolling my eyes. “What’s he trying to do? Star in some winning back the wife drama?”
My expression must have been scathing enough to reassure him because he seemed to relax a bit. But, of course, he wasn’t done yet.
“And what’s going on with Tyler?”
If he hadn’t brought it up, I wouldn’t have even known where to start.
“How should I know? You’re the one who set up the engagement. I didn’t even meet him before it got called off.”
My father gave me a meaningful look. “You wanna know what people are saying?”
I stared at him blankly, and he continued.
“Word is, when the engagement ended, Tyler locked himself in his room and cried so hard he couldn’t face anyone. And when he heard about your divorce? First thing he did was throw a champagne tower party at Soirée.”
A champagne tower? At Soirée? Seriously?
I fought to keep my tone casual. “And who told you that?”
“Oh, my friend Donald. His youngest is a total gossip. Apparently, it’s all anyone in their circle talks about.”
I snorted. “Yeah, well, you know how these stories go. By the time it makes the rounds, it’s pure fiction.”
I shrugged it off, and Dad didn’t push it, but I could tell he wanted to ask more.
The whole thing sounded so over–the–top, even for Tyler. I didn’t stick around to hear more, though–I found an excuse and made my exit.
Taking over the family business kept me crazy busy.
Every now and then, Tyler would show up with lunch.
At first, I tried to turn him down, but the food was too good. Plus, he didn’t interrupt my work. He’d just leave the meal on my desk, grab a spot on the couch, read for a bit, and leave like he was never there.
It was almost like having my own personal delivery service.
For some reason, my dad didn’t seem to mind him hanging around. Maybe Tyler had charmed him somehow, because he let him come and go without a single complaint.
Chapter 6
+25 BONUS
Clever guy.
Sitting at my desk, it finally hit me–this wasn’t random. Tyler was playing the long game, steady and deliberate.
Today, though, he was tied up with meetings and couldn’t stop by. When lunchtime rolled around, I automatically reached for the usual spot on my desk… but it was empty. That’s when I remembered–he wasn’t coming.
For a moment, I just sat there, weirdly unsettled. Was it the missing warm meal? Or… was it him I missed?
In one and a half months, he’d gotten me used to having him around, and now, his absence felt louder than his presence ever had.
I zoned out for a second, smirking to myself. His slow–burn strategy was genius.
Time for a change of pace, though. I decided to treat myself to lunch.
My afternoon wasn’t too packed, and honestly, the paperwork could wait. I’d heard about a new French place nearby that was supposed to be legit, so it seemed like the perfect excuse to step out.
I told my assistant I’d be back later, grabbed my things, and headed out.
But I never made it.
I blacked out.
