Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO READ THE CONTRACT
Ryan returned to New York two days later.
He arrived at our apartment carrying flowers.
White roses.
My favorites.
Or at least they had been.
I opened the door.
He looked exhausted.
“Katherine.”
“Ryan.”
He stepped forward.
I didn't move.
His smile faded.
“Can I come in?”
I considered it.
Then stepped aside.
He entered.
Looked around.
Saw the wedding photograph facedown.
His expression changed.
“Katherine.”
I folded my arms.
“What?”
“I'm sorry.”
I waited.
He swallowed.
“I shouldn't have left dinner.”
I nodded.
“No.”
“I shouldn't have invited Mallory.”
“No.”
He looked down.
“I know.”
For a moment, I almost believed him.
Then he continued.
“But I wish you hadn't left without telling me.”
My heart sank.
There it was.
The qualification.
The small adjustment that turned his apology into a shared responsibility.
I looked at him.
“Ryan.”
“Yes?”
“You knew where I was.”
He frowned.
“What?”
“I was sitting at the restaurant where you left me.”
He looked away.
“You could have called.”
I laughed softly.
“I did.”
He froze.
I continued.
“Twice.”
His face changed.
He pulled out his phone.
Checked the missed calls.
Then looked up.
“I didn't see them.”
“I know.”
Silence.
I walked toward the dining table.
Picked up a folder.
Placed it in front of him.
Ryan frowned.
“What's this?”
“The company partnership agreement.”
He stared.
“Why?”
I looked at him.
“Because I think we need to separate our personal relationship from our business.”
His expression hardened.
“Katherine, don't do this.”
I smiled sadly.
“I'm not doing anything to you.”
May you like
I tapped the folder.
“I'm protecting what I built.”
