Page 64 of Their Diamond Ring Ruse

‘Arrange...? Are you breaking up with me?’

He would hate himself for the rest of his life for the hurt he saw flash across her face. And it would only get worse.

‘Breaking up would imply there was something real to begin with. It’s time for you to leave.’

Julian’s heart was tearing itself to shreds.

Don’t leave. I need you.

But the thought would never be heard.

Her features had set in a determined look. The first time he’d seen it was when she’d walked over to him in a room full of people.

‘A lamb to the slaughter,’ he’d said that night.

‘I know what you’re doing,’ she said. ‘I won’t leave you.’

‘I want you to go.’

His ring was on her finger and yet he was pushing her away. This felt wrong. It was all wrong. But he had to do it. He would never make her happy—he wasn’t capable of that. He’d let his mother die, failed her, but he could save Lily.

‘Julian, don’t do this. Please...’

Her eyes welled up, her voice breaking on that last word, but he wouldn’t let himself comfort her. He would have to endure her hurt. Bear his punishment.

Julian shook his head and looked out through the window at the water stretching to the horizon.

‘I’m a monster, Lily. Haven’t you ever wondered why I never seem to have much competition? I put people out of business. You yourself brought up Helios. I do whatever I need to win.’

He turned back to her, removing any emotion from his voice. Making it as cold as he could manage. He was a good liar, after all.

‘I’ve been doing that with you, too. So, please, just go.’

Her tears fell. ‘You’re not a monster...’ She dashed the wetness away with the back of her hand. ‘If this is about yesterday... You’re not him. You’re good and kind.’

‘You’ve just seen what you want to, Lily.’

He couldn’t call her ‘Sunshine’. Not now. It would undo him.

‘Vincent was right. I did enjoy beating the shit out of him. And he wasn’t the only one. That’s who I am. I told you at the start I’m not the hero of this story. And I’m telling you for the last time—leave. I don’t want you.’

He saw her throat bob as she lifted her chin. She wouldn’t beg, and he was so proud of her. She was strong. She would be fine. And since Lincoln had moved on, he was no longer a threat either.

‘Fine.’

She prised the ring off her finger and he couldn’t bear it.

‘Take it back,’ she said.

‘No. Keep it.’

He wanted to say that it was part of their plan, but really it was just his selfish need to have her never forget him.

She curled her fingers around it, regarding him with those remarkable eyes. ‘Thank you for what you’ve done for me, Julian. Good luck with IRES. I’ll send for my things.’

Without so much as a goodbye, she turned around. And he watched the woman he loved walk out of his house.

The walls were closing in. His clothes felt too tight. Too constricting. He couldn’t breathe. Something was trying to break free of him.

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