Page 104 of Billion Dollar Revenge

“To be honest, I need to think about us too.”

“Right.”

Hating how he doesn’t ask me why, I feel the need to explain. Because I don’t want to end it like this, for him not to know thereason. He didn’t know why his ex cheated, and it messed him up for years. I don’t want to cause him more pain. He doesn’t deserve that.

“You don’t want to get engaged again, and I’ve always dreamed of a big wedding and a happy marriage.” New tears fill my eyes as I continue to say what’s in my heart. “I gave up everything for Bobby. I-I don’t think I can do it again.” I stumble over the last few words.

More crushing silence envelops me. I pull the phone away from my ear to check he’s still on the line.

When I bring the phone back, his voice finally breaks the silence, softer now. “I get that. Thank you for telling me the truth.”

“It’s not that I don’t care about you,” I say, though it’s strained. Tears spill down my cheeks, my heart shattering with each new salty tear.

“I care about you too,” he says, filled with a mix of understanding and sorrow.

My throat aches and constricts until words get caught. Is this the end of us?

“Are you busy?” I hear in the background. My heart cracks a little more, knowing our conversation has been cut off already.

“I’ll let you go.” I hesitate but close my mouth, stopping the words,I’ll speak to you soon,because will I? I doubt it. He knows we both want different things in our futures.

“Okay. Bye, Chelsea.”

“Bye,” I whisper and hang up.

My head falls, and so do fresh sobs.

Chapter 28

Chelsea

There’s still no newsabout Bobby, but I find myself in the car after a morning flight to Connecticut. Anna picked me up, and she’s been talking the whole time about her professor. It’s a nice distraction.

Evan, well, he’s gone radio silent. No calls or texts. But I haven’t reached out to him either. Deep down, I wish he’d change his mind about getting engaged, but I can’t expect him to change for me.

“You’re quiet. Are you still thinking about the article?” Anna asks.

I grimace, remembering my semi-naked picture plastered for the world to see. Not that I permitted Bobby to do it.

“Yeah, a little.”

“What’s going on?”

I stare out the car window, watching the houses pass us by. We don’t have much longer before we’re with my parents.

“I haven’t heard from Evan.”

Her head whips to me, smirking. “You like a guy?”

I rub my makeup-free face, sinking into the seat. “Yes, but why is my life a mess?”

“It’s not a mess. It’s life. Nothing you love ever comes easy.”

“I love him,” I say quietly. Expecting her to lecture me about falling so soon after Bobby, but her next words leave me shocked.

“I know.”

My head turns to look at her. Her lips twist into a small smirk.

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