Chapter 24

The concert had just ended when Ryker reached for my hand. He didn’t let go the entire ride home. Even as we stood in front of my house, he lingered, clearly not wanting the night to end. I knew what was going through his mind, so I smiled and leaned in for a hug. His ears turned red again.

But before either of us could say a proper goodbye, someone I never expected to see again came storming up the driveway. Aaron.

I barely registered his face when he launched himself forward and punched Ryker square in the jaw. Ryker didn’t even flinch; he just took it, shielding me instinctively. And then all hell broke loose. They started throwing punches, fists flying.

Aaron looked like a complete mess—exhausted, thinner than I remembered, like he hadn’t eaten or slept in days. I found out later he’d been searching for me nonstop. But none of that mattered now.

As soon as he saw Ryker holding my hand, something snapped in him. Fear? Rage? Maybe both. It didn’t take long for Ryker to overpower him. In seconds, Aaron was on the ground, breathless and beaten, clinging to what little pride he had left.

Panicking, I grabbed Ryker’s arm to stop him before things went too far. Ryker hesitated, catching my eye. Hurt flickered in his gaze. But then Aaron, pathetic as he looked on the ground, perked up—hope glimmering in his eyes like a man thrown a lifeline.

“Cass,” he called, “you still care about me, don’t you? I know I messed up. But please…forgive me.”

I didn’t even glance at him. Instead, I looked at Ryker and said, “Don’t bother with him. He’s not worth wasting your future.” Ryker brightened immediately.

Aaron, on the other hand, looked completely shattered. His hands trembled as he pulled something from his coat pocket—a pearl necklace and a customized wedding ring.

“Cass,” he whispered, his voice cracking, “I kept the necklace and that crown for you. If you don’t like them, I’ll make you new ones. I even had a new wedding ring made. Please, let’s start over.” His eyes were red-rimmed, his face hollowed out.

I didn’t understand how he ended up like this. I thought my leaving would have freed him. He could have married Nancy and gotten what he wanted. I gave him the signed divorce papers, sealed and final. He should have been off living his happily ever after. Instead, here he was, desperate and begging to come back.

I waved him off, intending to shut the door in his face. But Aaron wouldn’t quit. He tried to shove the necklace and ring into my hand.

“I’ll go diving again,” he pleaded, “I’ll find you more pearls—just give me another chance. Please Cassidy. Since you left, I can’t stop thinking about you. I don’t want Nancy. I don’t want anyone but you.”

“Can’t we go back to how things used to be?” He sounded broken. And then, right there in front of Ryker, he dropped to one knee like he was about to propose.

He didn’t even acknowledge Ryker—just swallowed hard and forced out, “I know I hurt you with what happened between me and Nancy. But it’s over. I ended it with her for good. And as for you and this guy…”

He shot Ryker a glare. “I don’t care what happened. I’ll forgive everything if you’ll just walk away from him.”

I let out a cold laugh. “Aaron, unless you’re blind, you should’ve seen the divorce certificate I left behind. You do understand what divorce means, don’t you?”

“We’re nothing now,” I spat, “I don’t belong to you anymore. I can be with whoever the hell I want—and you have no say in it. So stop acting like you’re my husband.”

Without waiting for a reaction, I grabbed Ryker’s hand and pulled him inside. Once we were safely behind the door, I let go of him. He stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do with his hands.

I smiled. “Relax. I just brought you in to clean up that cut. Once he’s gone, you can head home.”

Ryker nodded solemnly, but I could see the worry flickering behind his eyes. So I sat him down, grabbed the first-aid kit, and started patching him up.

“You know my story, right? I’m divorced. The guy outside—that’s my ex-husband. I have no idea why he keeps showing up.”

Ryker’s jaw tensed, brows furrowed. “Did he treat you badly?” he asked.

That question hit harder than I expected. If he’d asked me that two years ago, I would’ve defended Aaron without hesitation. Back then, there was no one in the world kinder to me than my parents—and him. But now… I paused. I thought about the things he did for Nancy. The way he betrayed me.

And all I could say was… “It’s in the past.”

Ryker seemed to get it. He reached out—hesitant at first—then pulled me gently into a hug. I didn’t move. I didn’t resist. I let myself be held.

“Cassidy,” he whispered, “he didn’t know what he had. But I do. And I’ll treat you right. I’ll put everything I own under your name if that’s what it takes.”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but I got the message loud and clear. He wanted to protect me. Wanted me to know he was serious.

My eyes stung with the sudden heat of unshed tears. Before I could stop myself, I leaned in and brushed a soft kiss against the corner of his lips. Ryker froze for a second, caught off guard. Then, face flushed, he kissed me back—deeper, harder.

It was nearly dawn by the time Aaron finally gave up and left from outside the door. I had wanted Ryker to stay the night, but he wouldn’t. No matter how much I asked, he refused. Said he didn’t want to cross any lines. In the end, after his endless persistence, I let him go home.