Chapter 18

Brynn stared at Chase, eyes wide, as if she couldn’t believe he was still at it. “First off, I’m not throwing a fit,” she said, voice steady, locked in. She was done—today, she’d make sure this idiot got it through his skull. She couldn’t keep dealing with this delusional clown dragging things out, wasting her time.

“Second, do you even get how messed up what you did was?” she snapped, staring him down like she could cut him in half. Brynn stepped up, all fire, and Chase flinched, stumbling back a bit, totally thrown by her vibe.

“…” Chase started, fishing for something to say.

“You think you just got held up ‘and rolled in late—like it’s nothing?” Brynn didn’t let up, words hitting hard. “That’s so selfish, Chase. Shows you don’t give a crap about me—just you.”

“I didn’t mean I just…” His voice was fading fast.

“Still with the excuses?” Brynn let out a dry laugh and stepped closer. “And don’t act like you didn’t see Kylie all over you. You still played along.”

“That was…” Chase’s face cracked, panic setting in.

“What? Going to say she’s like a sister?” Brynn cut him off, moving in again, making him shuffle back. “We’re not kids, Chase. Don’t treat me like I’m dumb.”

She crossed her arms, a smirk tugging at her mouth. “I gave you chances—tons of them. You didn’t care enough to grab one. That’s where I land with you—nowhere close to first.”

Brynn stopped, took a deep breath, then kept going, calm but ice-cold. “You think I crashed that wedding and married someone to get back at you?”

“Isn’t that it?” Chase jumped on it, desperate. “You wanted me jealous, right?”

“Who gives a damn what you think?” Brynn rolled her eyes. “I did it because I finally saw you for real. I’m done chasing something you never even gave me.”

Her words slammed into him, and Chase just stood there, out of moves, deflating.

“So stop showing up,” she said, firm as hell. “My husband actually treats me right.”

When she mentioned Dominic, Brynn softened up, a little smile slipping out. “He’s got my back, respects me, doesn’t leave me hanging. Chase, you’re not even in his league.”

Chase’s fists balled up, his head spinning. He’d always figured Brynn would stick around forever. Now that was falling apart, and he was freaking out.

“Brynn, come on,” he said, practically begging. “One more shot—just one. We’ve got years. Forgive me, and I’ll do whatever.”

Brynn stepped back, her face blank, cool as ice. “Chase, don’t you get it?”

Te blinked, lost. “Get what…?”

“I don’t love you anymore.” She looked him dead in the eye—those warm eyes of hers now flat, far off. “I don’t love you, so I don’t care. There’s no forgiving or anything. There’s just nothing.”

Chapter 18

She brushed past him, walking off without a glance back. Her steps were solid, no wobble, all quiet confidence. Chase stood there, stuck, watching her go. That last bit of hope? Gone. She was out—no second thoughts, no regrets. He’d lost her. For good.

But nah—he wasn’t ready to let it go. He couldn’t just drop Brynn like that. Chase’s brain was spinning, and before he could stop himself, his legs were moving, ready to bolt after Brynn. He barely got a step in when a hand grabbed his arm, jerking him back.

“Chase.” Kylie’s voice came out soft but tight, like she was on edge. She clung to him, then kinda tripped into his chest, pressing close—like she always did to keep him hooked.

It’d worked a million times before, and she was banking on it now to yank him back to her.

“Kylie, get one of the staff to take you to a doc. I’ve got to deal with something,” Chase mumbled, already prying her off, his mind elsewhere. He shook free and turned to chase Brynn, eyes glued to her disappearing down the hall.

“Chase…” Kylie’s voice shook this time. She stared at her empty hands, freaking out inside. This wasn’t the plan—none of it was going how she’d pictured. Chase was ditching her for Brynn, that nobody? No way she’d let him slip away that easy.

“Wait!” She latched onto him again, staring him down, every word slow and heavy. “Chase, my period’s a week late. And lately…I’ve been getting these weird stomach pains.” Chase stopped cold, his face all shock and “what the hell?”

“Kylie, you…” He trailed off, lost for words.

“Chase, I’m scared,” she said, her eyes welling up as she threw herself into his arms. He hesitated, looking torn, but after a second, his arms came up slow and stiff, wrapping around her.

Meanwhile, Brynn hit the entrance, the night air smacking her face and pulling her out of her head. Dominic was still inside, waiting. She whipped out her phone and tapped a quick text: [Out front—meet me when you’re done.]

The Caviar Crown was right in the middle of Portmare’s downtown chaos—shops, bars, all that—though it wasn’t super late. People were everywhere—shopping, laughing, couples doing their thing.

Brynn hung by the door, half-watching the crowd down the street. Tons of lovebirds—holding hands, sharing fries, lost in their own little bubbles.

Chapter 18

It dragged her back to her years with Chase. They’d been together forever, but he never once got sappy with her out in the open. No hand-holding, no cute stuff. He’d always brushed it off with some smug line, “We’re not regular people, Brynn. Upper crust like us keeps it classy.”

She snorted, a bitter little laugh slipping out. “Classy, my ass. He just didn’t care that much,” she muttered. Brynn shook her head, feeling wiped out. Looking back, it was so obvious—Chase never really loved her. This “win her back” crap? Probably just him missing how easy she made his life, not some big heartbreak. What a clown show. She’d been blind way too long, and it took this mess to finally see straight. She had been too dumb.

She was stuck in that sour thought when a jacket dropped over her shoulders, cutting the chill. Brynn jumped a little, turning to see Dominic standing there, a soft grin on his face, his eyes all warm and steady. He grabbed her hand, warming her cold fingers in his, and mumbled something quiet and sweet to settle her down. “Why didn’t you wait inside? It’s breezy out here—aren’t you freezing?” Dominic asked, his voice all soft and sweet.

That gentle tone hit Brynn like a warm hug, his eyes promising something cozy. It chipped away at the weight she’d been lugging around, warming her up inside.

“I’m good—not too cold,” she said, keeping it cool and steady.

“Still sounds like you’re a little chilly,” Dominic said with a nod. He gave her hand a light tug. “Come on, let’s get home.”

Once they were in the car, Dominic fired it up without a hitch. Brynn sank into the passenger seat, sneaking little looks at him. The more she stared, the more her brain took off, drifting into la-la land. ‘Man, if I’d met Dominic sooner…’ she thought, getting all dreamy.

“Honey, if you keep eyeing me like that, I might not keep my hands to myself,” Dominic cut in, grinning with a teasing edge.

Brynn snapped out of it, blinking at him. “Huh?” she mumbled, totally caught.