Page 144 of Check & Chase
“This is insane. You’re letting them dictate our relationship, our lives.”
“I’m trying to save what matters most. Your career, your reputation.”
“By throwing away what we have?”
“It’s not throwing away anything. It’s a strategic retreat.”
Emma stands, pacing the living room. “I can’t believe you’re suggesting this. After all our discussions about facing things together, about not letting Carina win.”
“Think about it logically,” I plead, keeping my voice steady. “The ethics commission is investigating our relationship for professional misconduct. The Bears have put both of us on leave because we’re creating drama. Every day we’re together publicly is another day that feeds into the narrative Carina’s created.”
“So we just surrender?” she asks, tears gathering in her eyes.
“We outsmart her. We give the appearance of doing what they want, while fighting the investigation properly. Once you’re cleared, once your job is secure, we can be together again without this hanging over us.”
Emma shakes her head, wiping angrily at a tear that escapes. “I can’t believe this is happening. After everything, after we finally got together for real, you want to walk away.”
“Not walk away. Step back. Temporarily.”
She backs away from my advance, wrapping her arms around herself. “It feels the same to me.”
“It’s not,” I insist, desperation leaking into my voice. “I love you, Emma. More than anything. That’s why I’m willing to do this, to suffer through this, if it means protecting your future.”
“And what about our future? The one we were planning together?”
The ring box flashes in my mind, a cruel reminder of how quickly dreams can shatter. “It’s still there. Waiting for us on the other side of this mess.”
She studies me for a long moment, her green eyes swimming with tears. “I can’t do this. I can’t play these games. It’s not who I am.”
“Emma…”
“No, Chase.” She holds up a hand, cutting me off. “If you think separation is the answer, then fine. We’ll separate. But don’t expect me to pretend it’s just for show. Don’t expectmeto wait around while you decide when it’s safe to love me again.”
Her words cut deep. “That’s not fair. You know that’s not what this is about.”
“Do I? Because from where I’m standing, it looks a lot like you’re choosing the easy way out.”
“There is nothing easy about this,” I counter, an edge entering my voice. “You think I want to be apart from you? You think this isn’t killing me?”
“Then don’t do it,” she pleads. “We can fight this together, Chase. The right way.”
“We’ve tried that. And look where it’s gotten us. Both suspended from our jobs, our relationship under investigation, our careers in jeopardy.”
Emma lets out a bitter laugh that cuts right through me. “You know what’s funny? We started off fake dating, and now we’re fake breaking up? Except this time it’s real, isn’t it?”
The parallel hits me hard. She’s right—we’ve come full circle, but in the worst possible way.
“I should go,” she says, her voice breaking.
“Em, please. Just think about it. We don’t have to decide anything right now.”
She steps back, avoiding my touch. “I think you’ve already decided, Chase. And maybe you’re right. Maybe we do need space to figure out what really matters to each of us.”
The finality in her voice terrifies me. “Don’t leave like this.”
“How else am I supposed to leave? You just broke my heart.”
She gathers her things—the small collection of items that have accumulated here over our weeks together. A toothbrush, a phone charger, the hoodie she borrowed last night. Each item she takes feels like another piece of me being torn away.
