Chapter 9%
Louie’s eyes lit up the moment he saw me. He took a few quick steps forward, clearly excited.
I stood still, quietly watching him. It had only been six months, but he looked like he had aged years.
The once clean–cut, pretty boy now looked worn out, like a tired middle–aged man. His eyes were also dull and weary.
“Tamara, it took me so long to find you,” he said, his voice shaky. “Please, just let me explain.“}
He looked at me with such caution, like one wrong move and I’d disappear again.”
I gave a small nod, staying exactly where I was.
“I messed up. I’m sorry,” he started, voice full of regret. “Tamara, I know I was wrong. I didn’t even know about your car accident until Neal called me. It’s my fault. I’ve already cut ties with Lindsay completely. Please forgive me, okay?“}
He stared at me nervously, waiting for a response.}
“I heard your apology,” I said calmly.
Then I walked right past him, opened the door to my Bentley, and got in.
“Tamara! Please. I’m begging you, forgive me. I can’t live without you!“}
Through the rearview mirror, I saw his figure shrink in the distance. His voice faded away until I couldn’t hear it anymore.
I took a deep breath and pulled out a peppermint candy from the glove compartment, letting the cool flavor calm the nausea rising in my stomach.
These past six months have changed me. I’d grown stronger and seen things more clearly.”
Louie wasn’t sorry for losing me–he was sorry for losing someone who was easy to use, someone convenient.
His regret wasn’t about love or guilt. It was about himself. And that kind of regret doesn’t deserve forgiveness.} But what I didn’t expect was that he’d be waiting outside my office again the next morning.”
“Tamara, I made this breakfast myself. It’s still warm. Try it, please,” he said, beaming as he held out a lunchbox.
I looked at him, completely calm. “Do you have a health certificate? If not, I’m not risking your food.”}
Who knew what a selfish man like him might put in it?
Without waiting for a response, I walked past him and into the building, leaving him stunned and speechless behind me.”
Once inside, i turned to my team. “Keep a closer eye on the people hanging around outside. Don’t give anyone suspicious a chance to sneak in.”
In a place like Europe, orders like mine get taken seriously and often enforced even more strictly down the line.
With my warning in place, Louie wouldn’t be allowed to loiter around the building anymore. Unlike back home, people here didn’t hesitate when things got tense. Pulling a gun wasn’t off the table. Louie wouldn’t dare push his luck.
Things stayed quiet for a while. I still saw him lurking from time to time, but as long as he kept his distance, I didn’t bother with him.” What I didn’t expect was that he’d find out where I lived.}
One evening, I came home early and found him skulking around outside my private villa.
To someone in love, this might’ve seemed romantic. But to me, it was just creepy.
When he saw me, he ran over, clearly relieved that I’d finally appeared.”
This time, no one was there to stop him.”
“Can we talk?” he asked, almost breathless.
I sighed, a bit exhausted by it all.
In the end, we went to a nearby dessert shop and sat across from each other. After ordering some snacks, he looked at me with those familiar, pleading eyes.”
“Tamara, I really understand how wrong I was,” he said quickly, trying to sound sincere.
I nodded slightly, waiting for him to go on.”
“I just… I can’t live without you. We were together for six years. Can you really just throw all that away like it meant nothing?” he continued, voice thick with emotion.
As he spoke, he reached across the table to take my hand. But I pulled mine back without hesitation, not bothering to hide my discomfort.
