I Quit Being My Genius Boyfriend’s Nanny Chapter 09

I Quit Being My Genius Boyfriend’s Nanny Chapter 09

In the dark, regret hit him like a wave-deeper than anything he’d ever felt.

He broke down, sobbing without control.

Three months into my life in New York, I never expected to see Cole again.

It was deep winter, snow falling in thick sheets, the wind sharp enough to cut through skin.

I stepped out of my building to walk the dog-and there he was.

A man in a thin, worn-out coat, his face gaunt and hollow.

Cheekbones jutting out. Dark circles carved deep under his eyes. A patchy beard across his jaw.

He was watching every person who walked past, like he was searching for someone.

I almost didn’t recognize him.

“Luna. It’s me. It’s Cole.”

The moment he saw me, he stumbled forward and grabbed my wrist.

“How did you find me?”

I tried to pull away, but his grip was too tight.

“I asked everyone-your old coworkers, your friends. I searched all of Chicago. It took me forever to get even a hint.”

“All I knew was you were in this building. I’ve been waiting here for days.”

His voice was raw, worn-out.

“I came to apologize, Luna. I’m sorry. I really am. I neglected you. I blamed you for things that weren’t your fault.”

“And Grace-she was never your real friend. She’s out of my life now. I swear.”

He was shaking. His words came out broken and messy.

“Please. I quit the institute. I’ll never put work before you again.”

“I’ll be there for you-I promise.”

Tears welled in his eyes. “I rebooked the wedding. The biggest hotel in Chicago.”

“I picked out the flowers you like, the decorations you wanted.”

“This time-I’ll give you the wedding you deserve. Please.”

I laughed-cold and hollow.

“You really think I’d keep giving you chances?”

“When you never showed up for the license, when you walked out of the wedding-you thought I’d

just forgive you?”

“Why would I?”

“From the beginning, I was never part of your world.”

“I didn’t blame you for that-I blamed myself. But I finally see now.”

“You never truly accepted me. You never saw what I did for you. You never cared about how I felt.”

“And even now-you think I’d come back and marry you like nothing happened.”

“No-Luna-”

“You just can’t stand being alone.”

I said it calmly. Like I was talking about someone else.

“You only cut Grace off because her mistake cost you your work.”

He shook his head, mouth opening and closing, but nothing came out.

A car honked behind me.

A gray sedan pulled up. A man in a dark coat stepped out quickly.

“Who is this?”

“Luna, are you okay?”

He pushed Cole’s hand away from mine, his eyes sharp.

“It’s fine. Just someone I used to work with.”

I touched Jace’s arm gently, letting him know it was okay.

Cole stared at him, frozen.

“Luna. Who is he?”

Cole’s voice was strained-he already knew, but he didn’t want to believe it.

Jace smiled politely, but there was no warmth behind it.