Chapter 97
Chapter 97
VENUS
GM
By morning, I’d made my decision.
I was going back to New York. Early.
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The text. The photos. The silence from Aaron, none of it could wait. Not another sleepless night. Not another forced smile at brunch. Not another moment pretending I wasn’t unraveling beneath the surface. I needed answers. I needed him.
Even if I wasn’t sure which version of him I’d find on the other end.
Sabine was the first to notice something had changed.
She swept into the kitchen like she always did, effortlessly regal in a silk robe that made her look like she floated rather than walked. Her hair was twisted into a towel, her posture perfect, and her gaze sharp as ever. She studied me, silent for a beat, then padded over to the espresso machine.
“You’re leaving early p>
Not a question. A statement. An observation.
I didn’t look up from my phone. “Yes p>
She took her time pouring her espresso. Then she sat across from me at the marble island, legs crossed, robe fluttering like a cape around her. Queen-like. Observant. Patient.
“What happened p>
I hesitated. “Nothing p>
“You don’t lie well before caffeine,” she said, taking a sip of her drink.
I gave a weak smile. “I just… need to be back. Something came up p>
“Aaron p>
I didn’t respond. I didn’t have to. The truth sat in the space between us like fog-thick, intrusive, inescapable.
Her voice softened. “Venus… what’s going on p>
My eyes dropped to my untouched coffee. My fingers trembled slightly as they tapped the ceramic mug. My voice, when it finally came, was nothing more than a whisper.
“I think something’s wrong p>
“With him p>
I shook my head, but not in denial. In fear. In realization.
“With us p>
She didn’t press. Didn’t prod. Sabine had the unique gift of knowing exactly when silence was more healing than words. She simply reached across the island and placed her hand over mine-elegant, warm, grounding.
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Chapter 97
“You want me to come with you p>
The question hit me like a hug I didn’t know I needed.
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“No.” I said quickly, shaking my head. “You’ve done enough. You and Gianna still need to finish up here. Everything’s riding on this launch p>
She looked like she wanted to argue. Sabine didn’t let people she loved walk into storms alone. But then she nodded, quiet and proud.
“Fine,” she said. “But if you need me p>
“I’ll call,” I promised, giving her hand a squeeze. “I swear p>
Gianna found out an hour later.
I was in the middle of zipping up my suitcase when she barged in, half-dressed, eyeliner in one hand and a pair of shoes in
the other.
“Are you serious?” she said, dramatic as always.
I sighed. “Gianna p>
“Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving p>
“I didn’t want to wake you p>
“You’re zipping a suitcase. That’s not exactly stealth mode, babe p>
I offered a half-hearted smile. “Sorry p>
She dropped the shoes and crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes.
“You’re not okay p>
I shook my head. “It’s complicated p>
She sat on the edge of the bed, eyeliner forgotten.
“Does this have anything to do with our broody billionaire husband p>
A soft laugh escaped me. “Always p>
“Did he cheat? If he did, I know someone with a flamethrower and zero regard for the law p>
“No,” I said quickly. “Nothing like that p>
She tilted her head. “Then what is it p>
I exhaled, the weight of it all pressing down on my chest like a stone.
“Someone sent me something. Photos. Of me and someone else. From angles and moments that—if you didn’t know better -look bad. Really bad p>
Gianna’s brows shot up. “Like scandalous misunderstood? Or call-the-publicist-and-bury-it misunderstood p>
I looked her in the eye. “The kind that could ruin everything p>
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Chapter 97
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She was quiet for a moment. Then she stood, walked over, and wrapped her arms around me from behind, resting her chin on my shoulder.
“Then go
fix it,” she said, voice steady. “You’re not the kind of woman who hides. And he’s not the kind of man who runs p>
I blinked back tears I didn’t know were there.
“I don’t know if I can fix this p>
Gianna pulled back just enough to look me in the eye.
“You’ve already survived worse. You’ll survive this too. But don’t let fear decide for you. Not when it comes to him p>
That was the thing.
I wasn’t afraid of the truth.
I was afraid he wouldn’t believe it.
The ride to the airport was quiet. The kind of silence that hummed beneath your skin. Tense. Reflective.
Sabine texted twice. Short check-ins, casual but coded.
Gianna sent me a selfie of them holding croissants and wearing oversized sunglasses, complete with dramatic tear filters and the caption: Our sister left us for a man. It hurts. Send cheese.
I laughed, quietly. Grateful. Even if everything else was crumbling, I had them. That mattered.
As the jet soared above London, I stared out the window at the clouds swallowing the skyline. The city looked smaller from here. Farther. Like the distance between who I’d been these past few days and who I’d have to be once I landed was more than just miles.
Somewhere deep down, I knew-whatever waited for me in New York wasn’t going to be
easy.
But I needed to face it.
Face him.
Face whatever truth we’d both been circling around, pretending we weren’t scared.
Because I was scared.
Of being misunderstood,
Of being left behind.
Of loving someone who stopped believing in me.
But I loved him anyway,
And that had to count for something.
The moment the plane touched down, something inside me shifted.
No, everything shifted.
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Chapter 97
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There was no sleek black car waiting at the bottom of the tarmac. No warm voice on the phone saying, “Welcome back, Mrs. Sinclair p>
He didn’t even know I was coming back.
My chest tightened.
The jet door opened, and I descended into a city that suddenly felt colder than it ever had before.
I grabbed my bags myself. No handlers. No porters. Just me and the rolling thump of my suitcase wheels on polished airport floors.
I slipped into the backseat of a yellow cab without a word. The driver looked at me through the rearview mirror, waiting for a destination.
I
gave him the address. Aaron’s building.
The one with the penthouse view of Manhattan and the echo of our last kiss still lingering in the walls.
I leaned back against the seat, watching the city rush past. Familiar and foreign all at once.
If he wasn’t already mad at me, he’d have my head for showing up like this.
But then again-who’s to say he still cared about my safety?
Who’s to say he still cared about me?
The city outside blurred, but my thoughts stayed sharp. Focused. Drenched in questions.
Did he get the photos?
Had he already decided I was guilty?
Did he think I’d betrayed him?
Or worse-did he want to believe it?
The cab stopped in front of the building. I paid, stepped out, and walked toward the doors like I belonged.
Because I did. Once.
The doorman recognized me. Gave a small nod.
“Mrs.Sinclair p>
I returned it with a polite smile, too tired for anything more.
The elevator ride was a silent countdown. My heart thudded with each passing floor. The world felt slower here. Suspended.
When the door’s finally opened, I stepped out onto the private floor, the same one where I’d once stood in a black dress and heels, pretending I wasn’t falling for a man who made the earth tilt beneath my feet.
Now, I wasn’t pretending.
Now, I was just hoping it wasn’t too late.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.