Chapter 5
Adele hadnt expected him to show up out of nowhere. She blinked, caught off guard.
“It’s nothing I just meant. you’ve been gone the past few days. You haven’t been to the hospital”
Byron glanced at her expression didn’t push.
Ive been slammed with work. There’s a new deal on the table and I’ve been working overtime non–stop. Didn’t have time to drop by
He said it casually, without even blinking. Adele’s eyes lowered slightly, her tone even colder now.
“If you’re that busy, you don’t need to come at all. I can handle myself.”
She meant it.
But Byron took it the wrong way.
“Okay, that’s on me, I’ve wrapped up most of it already–Ill stay close and make it up to you.”
As he spoke, he reached out like he was about to take her home. A few moments later, his assistant walked in with an armful of luxury shopping bags, every one of them sparkling with logos and price tags.
Adele looked at them and shook her head without emotion.
“I don’t like them.”
Byron immediately signaled for new ones.
“Alright, I’ll get you something else. Jewelry? Dresses? Anything you want. Just name it–I’ll find something you’ll like.”
But nothing he mentioned stirred her even slightly.
For three years, every holiday, every anniversary, he had sent her plenty of gifts. Her dressing room was packed with luxury logos and barely distinguishable styles–like the storage room of a high–end boutique.
She used to think those gifts meant something–that they were his way of caring. So even when she wasn’t interested, she’d still smile and accept them.
But today, hearing him ask what she liked–after all these years–it finally clicked.
He never knew.He just didn’t care enough to know.Gifts were simply an obligation. A price tag meant he couldn’t go wrong.
So this time, she didn’t pretend to be polite.
“Stop it, I don’t need any of it. And don’t send me anything in the future either
It was the first time Byron had ever heard her say something like that. A flicker of unease crossed his face.“You’re my wife. It’s my responsibility to give you gifts. Why would that be a bother?”
But what if she wasn’t anymore?
How ironic, Byron. You don’t even realize you’ve already signed the divorce papers!
In the days that followed, Byron stayed home, barely leaving the house.
How ironic, Byron. You don’t even realize–you already signed the divorce papers.
In the days that followed, Byron barely left the house.
Adele, meanwhile, started packing.
Skincare she no longer used, clothes she didn’t care about, the tailored suits and razors she once picked out for him, their matching mugs, framed photos…
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Nine Chances to Break a Heart: The Love That Never Been Chosen
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Chapter 5
One by one, she sorted through it all.
Byron noted the growing pile and looked confused.
He was just about to ask when his phone lit up Scarlett Without hesitation, hetepped away to take the rall
Adele saw the name too. She didn’t need to guess where he was going.
As the door clicked shut behind him, she quietly dumped everything into the sh
Moments later, her phone rang.
It was his assistant.
“Ms. DelaSalle, you need to come to Nightfall Club right away. Mr. Luwelton’s trouble!”
The assistant, usually calm and collected, now sounded completely shaken.
Adele frowned, grabbed her bag, and flagged a cab. On the way, she looked up the club–underground racing.
Wait. Wasn’t he supposed to be with Scarlett?What the hell was he doing at a racing club?
When she arrived and saw the man standing across from Byron, it all clicked.
Xavier Flynn.
Scarlett’s ex from college. The guy who was all booze, smokes, bar fights–and an unhealthy addiction to street racing.
Adele had heard about him. Even after their breakup, he’d pop up now and then, harassing Scarlett.
And from the looks of it, he hadn’t changed.
Right on cue, Xavier tossed a racing suit at Byron’s feet.
“Scarlett doesn’t want a rich boy at all. She wants adrenaline. Chaos! You say you’re here to protect her? Fine. Prove it. One race. Loser leaves away–for good.Okay?”
Chapter 6
