Fifteen Years Wasted, Now I’m Done Chapter 06

Fifteen Years Wasted, Now I’m Done Chapter 06

I woke to Ryan standing by the window. On the phone.

“Is Haddie okay?”

“She’s not threatening to jump again, right?”

“Hailey collapsed. I’m stuck at the hospital. Handle it. Do whatever it takes to bury this online. No trace of it.”

“Spare no expense. Not a single whisper can reach Hailey’s ears.”

I buried my face in the blanket. Searching for whatever scraps of safety I could find.

My mind replayed those final comments.

Calling me delusional.

Saying I had no shame. Chasing clout.

Saying I was the other woman. That I’d intruded on their relationship.

Strangers had scoured every inch of Ryan’s Instagram.

Found only Hadley there. Never me.

I knew all of it now.

“Ryan,” I said. Quiet.

My gaze drifted to his back. Unfocused.

“Does your conscience ever hurt?”

He whipped around.

Hung up the call. Walked to my bedside. Crouched down to meet my eyes.

“Hailey, I had no choice.”

“Haddie was being attacked to the point of wanting to jump. I owe her father my life. I can’t…”

I raised my hand.

Smack—

The IV needle tore from the back of my hand. Blood sprayed onto Ryan’s face as his head snapped sideways.

“So I’m the one who has to be sacrificed?”

I was so tired.

Tired of tolerating. Tired of pretending not to see. Tired of clinging to fifteen years of history. Letting him cross line after line.

It felt like I was always begging Ryan for an answer he’d never give.

So I swallowed everything.

No point in saying more.

Stop torturing myself.

“…Just go.”

“Let’s pretend we never knew each other.”

Ryan’s pupils contracted sharply.

He reached for my hand.

I pulled away.

“Hailey, just give me a little more time. Please?”

“Once this blows over, I’ll set the record straight! I’ll give you a grand wedding! We’ll be good together!”

I’d heard this too many times.

Believed it too many times.

“I swear! I’ll put you first from now on. I’ll do whatever you say. I owe you too much. I won’t—”

His ringtone sliced through the words.

Panicked voice on the other end.

“Ryan! Hadley’s crying. She’s demanding to see you!”

“Her emotions are totally unstable. Hurry…”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.

I grabbed Ryan’s arm.

“You said you’d do whatever I say.”

“Then don’t go.”

Crashing sounds from the phone.

“Ryan! Hadley’s climbed onto the window ledge again!”

Ryan jerked his arm free. Stood up. Rushed out the door without looking back.

Predictable.

I didn’t try to stop him.

Picked up my phone. Called Tommy.

“Move up my transfer.”

“I’ll book my own ticket. I’m leaving tonight.”