After everything–after ignoring his flowers, his calls, his letters–she thought maybe, Just maybe, he would let her go. But instead, his obsession deepened. He waited outside her apartment, sometimes for hours. And one night, under the pouring rain, he stood by the gates with an umbrella he never opened, soaked to the bone, refusing to leave until he could see her.
It wasn’t romantic.
It was exhausting.
Sebastian had warned her not to open the door. And when Colton showed up again the next morning–this time outside her office–Sebastian had enough.
He drove straight to where Colton was waiting and stepped out of his car, calm and controlled.
“We need to talk,” Sebastian said simply.
Colton scoffed. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
“I disagree.”
They stood across from each other–two powerful men, opposites in temperament, but both holding on to the same woman in different ways.
Sebastian didn’t flinch. “Ellie has moved on, Colton. She’s not yours anymore.”
“I still love her,” Colton said bitterly. “You think a ring changes that?”
“It’s not the ring,” Sebastian replied. “It’s how I treat her. I never made her cry. Never made her feel small. I never made her beg to be seen.”
Colton looked away.
“I’ll do anything for her,” Sebastian continued. “Even if that means giving you back some of the investors I’ve taken. If it gives you peace–if it helps you let go–fine. Take them.”
But Colton shook his head, tired now. “It’s not the investors. Not the money. It’s her.”
“I know,” Sebastian said softly. “And that’s exactly why you need to stop. Because what she wants now–what makes her happy–isn’t you.”
The words hit like a bullet, and for the first time, Colton didn’t argue.
Later that evening, Colton made one last stop.
He visited Lucas.
Ellie’s younger brother met him at the apartment entrance, arms crossed, cold–eyed.
“What do you want?”
“I just…” Colton hesitated, “I wanted to say sorry. To you. For everything.”
Lucas didn’t move. “You think saying sorry is enough for almost destroying her?”
“No. I don’t. But I had to try.”
Chapter 24
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Lucas sighed. “You were her whole world. And you shattered her. I saw her cry herself to sleep, Colton. I saw her rebuild herself from nothing. You don’t get to walk in here now and pretend that didn’t happen.”
Colton lowered his gaze. “I know.”
And with that, Lucas closed the door, leaving Colton alone in the hallway, surrounded by
silence.
Meanwhile, across the city, Ellie was standing in front of a mirror.
It was the night before the wedding, and the final fitting had just ended. The gown shimmered like starlight–soft silk that hugged her waist, sleeves of delicate lace trailing down her arms. The veil was long, cathedral–length, edged in hand–sewn pearls. She looked ethereal. Beautiful.
Sebastian walked in just as she turned.
He froze. “You take my breath away,” he murmured.
Ellie smiled. “You’re not supposed to see me in the dress before the wedding.”
“I’ll pretend I didn’t,” he teased, stepping closer. “But how can I not look at the woman I’m about to marry?”
They stood there, in silence for a beat, their hands touching gently.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“I am,” she said, and for the first time in a long time–she truly meant it.
The next morning, sunlight broke through the clouds, blessing the estate with warmth and golden light.
The garden was transformed into a floral paradise–white roses, tulips, and soft peach peonies lined the aisle. Ribbons danced in the wind. A quartet played softly in the background, and the guests filled the chairs with excitement buzzing in the air.
Lucas stood proudly beside Ellie, dressed in a navy suit, his smile real for the first time in months.
“I never thought I’d get to see you like this,” he whispered, his voice cracking.
Ellie squeezed his hand. “Me neither.”
Sebastian stood at the altar, in a tailored black suit with a crisp white shirt and a soft blue tie. His eyes never left Ellie as she walked toward him. His grandfather beamed from the front row, tears glistening in his eyes.
“You’re marrying the best woman in the world,” the old man whispered to his grandson as she approached. “Don’t you dare mess it up.”
“I won’t,” Sebastian said.
The ceremony began.
Vows were exchanged–simple, raw, honest.
“I promise to choose you,” Ellie said softly, “every day. Even when I’m tired. Even when I’m scared. I choose vou.”
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Vows were exchanged–simple, raw, honest.
“I promise to choose you,” Ellie said softly, “every day. Even when I’m tired. Even when I’m scared. I choose you.”
Sebastian swallowed hard. “And I promise to protect you. To believe in you. And to remind you every day that you deserve everything good in this world.”
Tears fell. Applause rang. And when they kissed–really kissed–there was nothing but joy around them.
Except for one man.
Standing behind the crowd, away from the guests, hidden under the shade of an old tree- Colton watched everything.
He couldn’t move.
Couldn’t speak.
He just stared, the world spinning around him, the air pressing on his chest.
And when the kiss ended, when the cheers rose again and Ellie turned her head with that soft, glowing smile…
It wasn’t for him.
She was happy.
And for the first time, Colton realized what true loss really meant.
He had everything once.
And he threw it away.
Now, all he had was the ghost of a woman he used to know–and the crushing truth that she would never look back.
