The night breeze was cool.


    Under the streetlight, Hayden’s shadow stretched long and tall, almost like he’d somehow grown


    since we’d been together.


    Standing beside him, my shadow mingled with his, ovepping just enough to feel like we were


    one.


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    The sight sent a familiar ache through my chest, so sharp it was hard to breathe.


    He felt so far above me now, with that whole marriage alliance with the Drago family hanging


    between us. The pain made my wordse out a little harsher than I meant. “Mr. Hart, what exactly


    did you want to say?”


    He didn’t look at me; his eyes stayed fixed on the night sky. “Didn’t you want to watch Steve’s


    match? It’s next week. I got you a ticket. You can go.”


    My heart clenched. So that was it–he wasn’t really offering; he was just trying to push me out of the


    picture.


    Now that he was marrying someone else, he was worried I’d get in the way, mess up his big ns?


    Since we broke up, every word from him felt like another cut, each one deeper than thest.


    I bit my lip. “Who said I was going?”


    I wanted to shout it, to sound defiant, but my voice came out weak, shaky, like even I didn’t believe


    myself.


    It wasn’tck of conviction–it was just the pain, pressing so hard that if I said one more word, I knew


    the tears would start falling.


    But I didn’t want to cry in front of him. This was myst shred of pride.


    Once, I’d cried, begged him to stay, because I thought it was my fault, because I thought he’d


    misunderstood me.


    But now? Now he was pushing me away, all for someone else. He was afraid I’d be aplication.


    So, yeah, there was nothing left here. If I cried now, it would just be giving away what little dignity I


    had left.


    “He’d be really happy to see you there,” Hayden said, his tone edged with something that almost


    sounded… bitter.


    If this were before, I might’ve thought he was jealous.


    But now? His words were pure mockery.


    My throat tightened painfully. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms, forcing myself not


    to break.


    Hayden pressed his lips together. “Steve’s got a lot of support. As long as nothing disrupts him, he


    should take first ce easily.”


    He finally looked at me. “You missed hisst win–don’t miss this one. Besides…” He hesitated.


    “This


    might be his final match. After this, he’s nning to retire for good.”


    So, he was basically telling me it was now or never if I wanted to see Stevepete again.


    But he didn’t get it–watching Steve’s match wasn’t exactly top of my list right now.


    “You’re saying all this because you want me gone, aren’t you?” I finally managed to get the words


    out.


    He didn’t respond. The silence hit harder than anything he could’ve said.


    “Why?” I asked, my voice shaking. “Is it really because you don’t want me to miss Steve’s match?”


    Still nothing. That silence told me everything.


    So, I finished the thought for him. “I know why. You’re worried I’ll mess up your engagement, right?


    Afraid your fiancée might find out about me and get jealous?


    As I spoke, the sting in my nose got worse, and I felt this wave of weakness wash over me, making


    me feel small and pathetic.


    But I swallowed it down, pushing past the bitterness. I forced myself to stand tall, to not let him see


    even a hint of desperation.