Chapter 402
Alexander
“You suffered because of me,” I continued. “Because of my choices, my failures, my complete inability to see what was right in front of me. I can’t change that. But I can promise you I won’t make you suffer again p>
“Promises are easy.
“Then let me prove it with actions. Let me show you I’m serious about this. About us p>
“Us,” she repeated, testing the word. “There’s no us, Alexander. There’s you, engaged to Katherine. And there’s me, raising your son alone in Connecticut. Those are two separate things p>
“They don’t have to be p>
“Yes, they do. Because I can’t trust you. Not yet. Maybe not ever. You say you’ll end things with Katherine, but you’ve been engaged for years without setting a date. How do I know you’ll actually follow through? How do I know this isn’t just guilt talking p>
The question was fair. More than fair.
“I’ll sort it out in a few days,” I said. “I’ll fly back to New York, sit down with Katherine, and end this engagement properly. No dragging it out, no excuses. Just done.” 1
“And then p>
“Then I come back here and hope you’ll give me a chance p>
Madison’s fingers drummed against the table.
“I need to see progress,” she said finally. “Not promises. Not grand gestures. Actual, tangible progress. Until then, I can’t trust you. Won’t trust you p>
“That’s fair p>
“It seems pretty generous. You show up here, disrupt my life, make demands about seeing Ethan, and I’m supposed to just wait patiently while you figure out your engagement situation p>
“No. You’re supposed to tell me what you need. What would make you believe I’m serious p>
She was quiet for a moment, considering.
“End the engagement,” she said. “Publicly. Not some quiet dissolution that happens behind closed doors. I want to see it in the papers, the magazines, wherever. I want proof that you actually followed through p>
“Done p>
“And stay away from Katherine. No secret dinners, no ‘just business‘ meetings, nothing that could be misconstrued.” (19
“Agreed p>
“And give me space. Real space. Not this hovering thing where you show up everywhere I go p>
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That one stung. “How much space p>
“Enough that I can think clearly. Enough that I can figure out what I actually want without your presence clouding everything p>
“What about Ethan p>
Her expression softened slightly. “That’s separate. You can work toward meeting him properly, building a relationship with him. But me? I need time p>
“How much time p>
“I don’t know. However long it takes me to believe you’re actually serious about this and not just feeling guilty p>
I wanted to argue, to push for a timeline or guarantees. But her eyes held something I hadn’t seen before. Not anger exactly, but exhaustion. Like she’d been fighting this battle too long and needed to rest.
“Alright,” I said. “Space. I can do that p>
“Can you p>
“I’ll try p>
“That’s not reassuring p>
“It’s honest.” I leaned back. “I’m not good at patience, Madison. You know that. But I’ll try because you’re asking me to p>
“I suffered a lot because of you. Because of your choices. I won’t go through that again p>
“I understand p>
“Do you? Because it’s easy to sit here and make promises. It’s harder to actually follow through when it’s inconvenient or difficult or when Katherine calls crying p>
“Katherine won’t cry p>
“You don’t know that p>
“I do.” I met her eyes. “Because this engagement has been dying for years. We’ve both known it. This conversation will be a relief for both of us p>
Madison’s fingers stopped drumming. “When p>
“When what p>
“When will you end it? Give me a specific timeline p>
“Five days. I’ll fly back tomorrow, set up a meeting, and handle it properly.” I paused. “Is that concrete enough?
“Maybe.” She pushed her hair back. “But I still need to see proof. Until I see actual progress, I can’t trust you. I won’t trust you p>
Chapter 408
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“That’s fair p>
“Stop saying that p>
“What p>
“That’s fair. Like you’re some magnanimous CEO granting concessions. ” Her voice sharpened. “This isn’t a business negotiation. These are my conditions for even considering giving you a chance p>
“You’re right. I’m sorry p>
She blinked, clearly not expecting the apology.
“I’m treating this like a merger when it’s not,” I continued. “You’re not a company to acquire. You’re a person I hurt who’s asking for basic respect and follow–through p>
“Exactly p>
“So let me rephrase. I hear your conditions. I’ll meet them. And I’ll hope that when you see I’m serious, you’ll consider giving us another chance p>
Madison’s expression remained guarded. “That’s all you can hope for right now p>
“I’ll take it p>
The waitress appeared, clearing our barely touched plates. “Can I get you anything else? Dessert p>
“Just the check,” Madison said quickly.
“Actually,” I interrupted, pulling out my wallet. “I’ve got this p>
“I can pay for my own meal p>
“I know you can. But let me do this p>
She looked like she wanted to argue, then nodded once. The waitress took my card and disappeared.
We sat in silence, the conversation exhausted, but the tension still thick between us.
“Five days,” Madison said finally. “That’s your deadline. After that, I want to see proof you ended things with Katherine p>
“You’ll have it p>
“And space. Real space. Not showing up every day p>
“How will I prove I’m serious if I’m not around p>
“That’s your problem to solve.” She grabbed her purse. “Figure it out.” 1
The waitress returned with my card. I signed the receipt, leaving a generous tip out of habit.
Madison stood. “I should get back to work p>
“Madison.” I stood as well. “Thank you. For listening. For giving me any chance at all. ”
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“Don’t thank me yet. I haven’t decided anything except that I need space and proof you’re serious.” She headed toward the door, then paused. “Five days, Alexander. Don’t make me regret this p>
“I won’t p>
She left without looking back, the door closing behind her with quiet finality.
I stood there for a moment, watching through the window as she walked to her car. Her shoulders were rigid, her steps quick and purposeful.
Five days to end an engagement.
Five days to prove I was serious.
And to figure out how to win back a woman who had every reason to tell me to fuck off forever.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.