You Threw Away a Diamond Chapter 06

You Threw Away a Diamond Chapter 06

When I woke up, my phone was flooded with notifications. 1

Countless pathetic messages from brand–new accounts–Julian–and one message sitting quietly at the top.

Caleb: “When are you free to get your umbrella?”

“I have something to show you.”

A genuine smile touched my lips, followed by a sigh as my gaze fell on Julian’s desperate texts.

For the next few days, I did my best to avoid Julian, terrified he’d latch onto me like a toxic barnacle.

When I had a free Friday afternoon, I met up with Caleb.

He didn’t take the umbrella. Instead, a sly, breathtaking smile played on his lips.

“I always kept this for you.”

For… me?

I stared at him, shocked. He looked down, rubbing the back of his neck, suddenly boyish.

“After I ran into you at the university, I just… kept it in the car. In case I ever had a chance to shield you from the rain.”

I looked at him, a profound warmth spreading through my chest. So intensely sweet.

Then he handed me a heavy, leather–bound folder.

It was a commercial lease and renovation contract for a massive, sunlit

loft in a SoHo high–rise in New York.

“My family’s firm just acquired the building. It’s in that art district you said you loved. Didn’t you always want to open your own design studio after graduation?”

“I secured the penthouse loft. It’s yours. Custom renovations start next

week.”

I stared at the contract, at a complete loss for words.

The feeling was surreal.

I was an Art History major, but my family is old money, business for generations, and they all expected me to join the corporate firm.

Being an independent designer was a secret, impossible dream I had drunkenly ranted about years ago.

Maybe it was my rebellious streak, but I’d been taking design courses on the side throughout college.

I never thought he remembered.

Remembered the teenage girl who had once boasted about her grand, unrealistic plans.

My eyes grew misty. I was actually going to cry.

So embarrassing!

“If it’s too much, I… I wasn’t trying to overwhelm you, I just thought…”

Seeing my silence, his Alpha facade cracked, his words tumbling over each other in panic.

“Thank you…” I whispered, my voice cracking.

Thank you for seeing me. For remembering me.

He let out a heavy breath, stepping into my space. “Hey, what did you think I meant?”

“I’m obsessed with you, Scarlett. You deserve the entire world.”

I grabbed the lapels of his very expensive jacket, pressed my face into his chest, and cried quietly.

“Let me hide for a second.”

I wiped my tears on his shirt. He didn’t care about the fabric; his large hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against his hard body, his chin resting protectively on top of my head.

So, so embarrassing.

But being cherished like this… it felt incredibly intoxicating.

I had a class that afternoon, so after calming down, Caleb drove me back

to campus.

During the lecture, I could feel Julian’s desperate, suffocating eyes boring into my back.

And sure enough, the moment class was dismissed, he rushed over, looking entirely unhinged.

“Scarlett!”

“Please, you have to forgive me.”

He ran up to me, smelling faintly of stale alcohol. His voice was frantic, causing the lingering students to turn their heads.

“There’s nothing going on between me and Cassidy, I swear. She meant nothing!”

He grabbed for my wrist, his eyes bloodshot, looking like a pathetic, drunken mess.

A few people had already pulled out their phones, recording the inevitable drama.

Don’t you dare drag me into your toxic spiral.

I yanked my arm back. “As if I care!”

“Can you please stop harassing me? Whatever twisted relationship you have with her has absolutely nothing to do with me!”

“Stop acting like a psycho and leave me alone!”

I was so done. How had I never seen how emotionally manipulative he

was?

“Scarlett, I know I fucked up. Please, just give me one more chance, I’m begging you. Don’t go to him.”

“Give you a chance to what? Humiliate me again?”

I had to laugh at the sheer, unadulterated audacity.

“Julian, you’re pathetic. You wanted Cassidy’s ego boost and my loyalty. You wanted to have your cake and eat it too. You’re just a selfish little boy!”

“You were the one who said I’d regret it. Well, newsflash: I don’t.”

“But I regret it!” he choked out, actual tears streaming down his face as he reached for me again. I backed away, utterly repulsed.

I glanced at the students recording and shouted, “This freak has nothing to do with me! Keep your distance, Julian!”

With that, I bolted out the door.

Who gives a damn about his breakdown!

But when I spun into the hallway, I collided straight into a solid, muscular

chest. Familiar cedar and bergamot. Caleb.