Chapter 5
Ryder’s parents were about to speak, but I jumped in first.
“No one. You misheard.”
The older couple exchanged confused glances.
Ryder didn’t notice their strange looks. He grabbed my arm and practically dragged me out to his car.
“Since you’re already here and done talking with my parents, come with me
somewhere.”
We drove in total silence.
When the car finally stopped, I realized he’d brought me to a high–end boutique.
He instructed the sales associate to bring out piles of clothes, shoes, and bags, then told me to try them all on.
I frowned, completely confused. “Why am I trying these on?”
Ryder pushed me toward the fitting room, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Just try them.”
I started to refuse, but the associate had already closed the door and was unpacking the boxes.
Every time I came out in a new outfit, Ryder would snap a photo with his phone, then shove me back into the dressing room for the next one.
This went on for hours. I tried on what felt like a hundred different outfits. My energy was completely drained, and my feet were bleeding from all the high heels. I finally couldn’t take it anymore and pushed past the associate. Limping over to Ryder, I said firmly, “I don’t need you to buy me these things as some kind of apology—”
“Pack up everything except the burgundy dress. Have it all delivered to Ms. Elle Winters at the Hillcrest Estate,” he interrupted.
The rest of my sentence died in my throat as I heard his instructions.
I watched him swipe his credit card without hesitation and found my voice, though
it came out raspy. “You brought me here to try on all this stuff… for your girlfriend?” Ryder nodded casually, a slight smile playing on his lips.
“Yeah. I wanted to get her some gifts but wasn’t sure what would look good. Since you two have similar builds, I figured you’d make the perfect model.”
“Next, you’re coming with me to check out some dessert places, jewelry stores, and cosmetics shops upstairs. You can sample everything–food, drinks, products–so I can pick out the best for Elle.”
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05
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Listening to him plan my day without even asking me, I couldn’t hold back my anger anymore.
“Ryder! I’m not some fucking tool for you to impress your girlfriend with!”
He’d never seen me this angry before. His head snapped up in shock, and he saw
the tears in my eyes.
“Do you even get it? I never saw you as just a hookup! When I held you, kissed you, let you inside me… I meant it! You might not love me, but you don’t get to use me like this!”
My voice shook with emotion. Ryder froze, complex feelings washing over his face. He opened his mouth to explain, but I was already walking away.
Watching my small figure disappear into the crowd, something flickered in his eyes. A second later, his expression returned to normal.
Back home, I pulled out my suitcases and started packing.
At dinner, I occasionally overheard my parents talking about Ryder.
“Did you hear Ryder rented out the entire Universal Studios resort for three days for Elle’s birthday? The roses are being flown in from Europe. He’s really going all out.” “He took her to meet his grandfather at the family estate yesterday. Bought several antique art pieces and pretended they were from Elle. The old man was thrilled- couldn’t stop praising her.”
Whenever my parents brought up the Caldwells, I stayed quiet.
Sometimes I still felt a twinge in my heart, but it no longer hurt like before.
I tuned out the outside world, declining every invitation where I might run into
Ryder.
A few times, he drunk–texted me late at night, acting casual while asking me to pick him up. I never went.
Occasionally when our mutual friends got drunk, they’d bring it up.
“Ryder, what’s up with your childhood sweetheart? She’s not hanging around you anymore.”
He’d shrug it off like it was nothing. “She’s just sulking. Don’t worry about it–she’ll get over it soon.”
But weeks passed, and I remained silent. Eventually, I stopped responding to his messages altogether.
The day before his birthday, he finally couldn’t stand it anymore and sent me a formal electronic invitation.
This time, I did respond. With just two words:
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