Three Years Paralyzed, Watching Him Love Her

Chapter 10

"Aurelle, we've been together for seven years. Are you really okay with this?"

"What's there to get used to? If you were dead, I'd manage just fine."

His face went completely still, my words landing harder than I'd expected.

"Is there really no chance for us anymore?"

"None."

"Then stop bothering me."

I slammed the door so hard it shook the walls behind me.

Ruslan stood there, fist clenched so tight I thought he might break something. His eyes, burning with frustration, stayed locked on the door.

"Aurelle, don't push me to make a choice."

The weight of those words lingered in the air long after I'd shut him out. The whole ordeal faded quickly, like smoke on a windy day.

Work took over my life, and I almost forgot it had even happened.

I thought that if Ruslan had any pride left, he'd back off and leave me alone.

But soon, things took a darker turn. I started getting anonymous threats, each one more chilling than the last.

Some came in the mail, others were left on my doorstep.

The neighborhood security cameras were strangely out of order, and when I checked, I found a blood-stained card with a photo of a lifeless baby lying in a pool.

The shock hit me like a punch to the gut. I was numb, unsure where to even start.

In the middle of all this chaos, the company made an announcement about new partners for an upcoming project.

Thanks to my hard work, I'd been promoted to Design Director, and this project was now my responsibility. I never expected one of the partnering companies to be Ruslan's.

He walked into the meeting room like he owned the place, his team in tow. His confidence radiated, like he was in control of everything.

Before I knew it, he was standing in front of me, his face unreadable, hiding a mixture of emotions behind a mask.

He reached out his hand with a forced smile, but it felt more like a trap than a greeting.

"Aurelle, a month without you feels like three autumns. I've missed you so much."

The room was filled with representatives from both companies, and I had to keep it together.

With a stiff, practiced smile, I shook his hand, my grip cold and robotic.

"President Wyatt, I look forward to our collaboration!"

The higher-ups had drilled it into me how crucial this partnership was, so I had no choice but to handle it carefully.

Ruslan, though, wasn't here for business. He took every opportunity to make it personal, his presence more about reconnecting than working.

Under the guise of discussing the project, we rarely actually talked about the work itself. Whenever he came to my office, I had no choice but to let him in.

He wandered around like he owned the place, casually commenting, "Aurelle, you'd be better off as a housewife. Look at how drained work is making you."

I shot him a cold look, and he instantly backed off.

But then his whole demeanor shifted. His eyes lit up, and suddenly he was eager to share something.

"Aurelle, I've got some good news. Once you hear it, I'm sure you'll forgive me and take me back!"

Before he could go any further, I cut him off, sharp and direct.

"Are you the one who's been sending me those threatening letters?"

Ruslan froze. His face went blank, then confusion flickered across his features.

"What?"

His bewildered expression told me he wasn't the one behind it. I wasn't going to waste any more time on that.

"Forget it. Just tell me, what's this good news?"

Ruslan nodded eagerly, leaning in like he was about to tell me a secret.

"Thea lost the baby."

He said it so casually, like he was talking about the weather.

My pen stopped mid-sentence, and the words hit me like a punch to the chest.

I looked up, calm on the outside, but inside, a storm was brewing. "How did it happen?"

Ruslan glanced away, his voice dropping to a low whisper.

"She had an abortion."

A wave of anger hit me like a tidal wave. I struggled to contain it, but I couldn't keep my voice from rising as I confronted him.