His family would never allow an actress, a “performer,” to marry their heir. So Teddy simply walked away, ready to build his own empire rather than compromise.
Compared to Max, who wanted to have his cake and eat it too, I genuinely admired Teddy’s unwavering devotion.
The night I moved in, Max did something he never did: he called me.
“I’m worried Ava will get upset if she sees the things you left behind,” he said, his tone still dripping with that condescending generosity. “Whe re are you now? I’ll have them sent over.”
I didn’t stop folding my clothes, just cradled the phone between my shoulder and ear. “Just toss them,” I said nonchalantly. “It’s all stuff I don’t need anymore.”
Silence on the other end, punctuated only by the sound of his heavy breathing.
A moment later, his voice was tight with anger. “Cara! What the hell is your problem?”
“The engagement is only postponed. Once Ava is stable…”
I cut him off, unable to listen anymore. “Sorry, Mr. Cole, I’m really busy right now.”
I hung up and blocked his number.
Stepping out onto the balcony, I let the night breeze wash over me, gazing at the glittering city lights.
Leaving Max was easier than I ever imagined.
A soft, rhythmic sound from below broke the quiet.
I instinctively leaned over the railing to look.
The balcony below was lush with plants. Through the leaves, I could just make out a pair of pale hands gripping the railing, and the top of a bobbing head.
Well now. That was Teddy’s apartment, where he lived with the actress.
Those two certainly knew how to have fun.
Not wanting to pry, I went back inside to finish unpacking.
Suddenly, there was a knock on my door.
When I opened it and saw who was standing there, my brain short–circuited for a second.
If Teddy was here…
Then who was that downstairs?!
4
A flicker of surprise crossed Teddy’s eyes as well.
“Sorry, wrong door,” he said, turning to leave.
“I just moved in today,” I called after him. “Want to come in for a drink?”
I don’t know why I said it. Maybe I felt a bit sorry for him. A fellow member of the recently–cheated–on club.
Teddy turned back, an eyebrow arched. “Oh? So we don’t have to keep our distance anymore?”
Max hated Teddy, which meant he hated me having any contact with him. Even though Teddy was the primary investor in my chain of flower shops, we barely ever met, save for a brief meeting at the end of the year to go over profits.
09:53
Chapter 1
09:54 0
Come to think of it, it was through Max’s family connections that I was able to reconnect with Teddy and secure his investment in the first place. The shops were now turning a healthy profit, which gave me the courage to walk away from Max.
So, I guess my seven years with Max weren’t a complete waste.
I shrugged. “We broke up.”
“Again?” A smirk played on Teddy’s lips, a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes. He strolled in, draping himself over my sofa and propping his long legs up on my coffee table. He had none of the cool, aristocratic air I remembered from our first few meetings, he was all casual, roguish charm.
I picked out a fine bottle of red from my wine cabinet.
“This time, the engagement’s off.” I handed him a glass, my expression neutral.
He swirled the wine, a laugh bubbling up. “Whoa, expensive stuff.”
“Looks like you got hit hard this time. Need me to help you drink your sorrows away?”
If he hadn’t knocked on the wrong door, he’d be the one getting hit much, much harder.
I nodded. “It is expensive. It was a gift from you, last year at the annual party, after you got drunk.”
It was a collector’s vintage. I hadn’t wanted to take it back to Max’s place, so I’d stored it here. Now, it was finding its way back to its original
owner.
Teddy’s eyes widened slightly before he tipped his head back and downed the glass in one go.
“Well, let’s just call it a celebration of your escape from hell.”
I raised my glass. “And here’s to you…”
“…finding your own true
