Page 25 of Ruin Me
“You’re taking me back, aren’t you?” I don’t respond, I don’t have an answer for her. My mind is reeling and I need to devise a plan and fast. I don’t want to give her false hope if I can’t get my own shit together in my head. A tear rolls down her cheek as she turns to look out her window and I fight the urge to wipe it away.
The taxi driver pulls away from the curb, and I can see Hadley's reflection in the window. She looks defeated, her shoulders slumped and her eyes vacant. It's a look I've seen too many times before, and it always tears at something deep within me. I want to reach out, to pull her into my arms and tell her that everything will be okay, but I can't. Not yet.
I turn my gaze out my own window, watching as the city passes by in a blur. The streets are filled with debris from the storm, a stark reminder of the chaos that had kept us trapped together. I can't help but think that the storm was a sign, a force of nature keeping us together until we were forced to confront our feelings.
As we approach the airport, I can see the planes lined up on the tarmac, waiting to take passengers to their destinations. I silently try to calculate every single possible outcome but only one idea seems to stick out more than the rest.
The taxi driver starts humming a tune, oblivious to the tension in the back seat. I glance at Hadley, her eyes still fixed on the window. Her reflection shows the silent tears streaming down her face. Each one is a stab to my heart. I've always been a bastard, but seeing her like this—knowing I'm the cause—is a new kind of torture.
I look down at my phone, the screen still displaying Austin's message. He's been more of a brother to me than anyone else but I can’t tell him my plan via text, I need to play my part and that means telling him I have Hadley. I type out a quick reply, letting him know we're on our way.
As I hit send, I can't shake the feeling of unease. I'm not just bringing Hadley back to her father; I'm sending her into a life she dreads. The thought of Emerson laying a hand on her makes my blood boil. I've seen firsthand the kind of damage he can do, both physically and emotionally. I can't let that happen to Hadley. I know at that moment, my plan needs to go ahead, and I have to somehow convince Hadley of this plan.
The taxi pulls up to the departures terminal, and the driver turns to look at us. "Which airline?" he asks, breaking through my thoughts.
“That’s ok, just leave us here. We will make our way through the terminals,” the driver shrugs, gets out of the car and helps us with our bags.
“Have a safe flight,” he calls as he gets back into his car, and we turn towards the terminal.
Hadley walks beside me, her steps heavy with resignation. I can feel her eyes on me, waiting for a sign, any indication that I might change my mind. But I keep my gaze forward, my expression neutral. I can't give anything away, not yet.
We enter the bustling airport, the noise and crowds enveloping us. I lead us to the check-in kiosks, Hadley following silently behind me. I can see the resignation in her eyes, the acceptance of her fate. It kills me, but I have to keep up the act, just for a little longer. I scan our tickets and pull up our reservation.Sydneyflashes across the screen, and Hadley exhales heavily. I turn to look at her, tears staining her gorgeous face. I can’t risk anything right now, I have no idea who has eyes on us. But I know as soon as those engines go on in the plane,all communications to her father end. Just a few more minutes. I can do this.
Eight
Hadley
He’stakingmeback.All the hope I had held onto as we made our way to the airport rushed out of me as soon as I saw our flight reservation to Sydney pop up. He was taking me back to my father and sealing my fate to marry Emerson.
I follow Rhett silently through the airport, each step heavier than the last. The bustling crowd around us seems to blur into the background as I focus on the dull ache in my chest. He'sreally going to do it. He's going to hand me over to a life I never wanted.
As we approach the security checkpoint, I glance at Rhett. His expression is unreadable, his eyes focused straight ahead. There's no hint of the sexy, passionate man I've come to know over the past few days. It's as if that person never existed, replaced by the cold, hardened enforcer my father always intended him to be.
We make our way through security, the process mechanical and detached. I place my bag on the conveyor belt, watching as it disappears into the scanner. As I step through the metal detector, I can't help but feel like a prisoner being led to her cell.
Rhett guides us through the terminal, his hand firmly gripping my elbow. I feel like a lamb being led to slaughter, each step echoing the finality of my fate. We reach our gate, the signs for Sydney glaring at me like a neon death sentence. I sit down in one of the cold, uncomfortable chairs, my eyes fixed on the tarmac outside. Planes take off and land in a carefully choreographed ballet, each one taking people to their destinies. My destiny is back in Sydney, a grim future with a man who terrifies me.
Rhett sits beside me, his body tense. He doesn't look at me, but I can feel the weight of his thoughts. The air between us is thick with unsaid words and lingering touches. I want to reach out, to beg him one last time to change his mind, but I know it's useless. He's made up his mind.
"Hadley," he begins, but I cut him off.
"Don't," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Don't say anything, Rhett. Just... don't."
He nods, understanding my pain. We stare at the tarmac in silence until our flight is called. My blood runs cold as my silent tears continue to fall. We line up with the rest of the passengers and make our way onto the plane, of course we are seated inbusiness class. My father expects nothing but the best for his so-called princess. The flight attendants with their fake happy smiles, make my stomach churn and I want nothing more than to run in the opposite direction.
As we take our seats, Rhett stoically places our carry-on bags in the overhead compartment. I buckle my seatbelt, feeling the cold metal against my fingers, a stark reminder of the imprisonment that awaits me. The plane begins to fill with passengers, their chatter a dull hum around me. I lean my head against the window, watching as the ground crew loads the last of the luggage onto the plane.
Rhett sits beside me, his presence both comforting and painful. I can feel his eyes on me, but I refuse to look at him. If I do, I might break down completely, and I can't afford to show that kind of weakness. Not now, not ever again.
The captain's voice crackles over the intercom, welcoming us aboard and announcing our departure. The engines roar to life, and the plane begins to taxi down the runway.
“Hadley, I need you to listen to me right now. You don’t need to look at me but I need you to understand something,” I lean my head back against the headrest.
“What, Rhett?” He smirks, and he is so fucking irritating.
“I’m taking you back, Hadley. But not in the way you think,” I stare at him in confusion. “I will explain soon. I need to work some things out first, but I promise you you will know everything before we land back in Sydney.” I stare at him in disbelief. Do I trust him? I have no idea but hope surges up inside me. Please don’t let me down Rhett.
Rhett
