Chapter 4
A week later, Stella walked into the office to submit her resignation.
Word spread fast, and suddenly everyone was gossiping.
“Why are you leaving? Everything’s been going so well. Is this about Ryan?”
“Does Ryan even know you’re quitting? I mean, you guys can’t make it work as a couple, but you’re still killer
business partners.”
Would Ryan know?
Stella wasn’t worried about that.
Ryan hadn’t shown up to work in over a week – too busy playing nurse to “traumatized” Ivy.
He was probably so wrapped up in Ivy that he wouldn’t even notice one of his coworkers was leaving.
Stella shook her head and for the first time ever, completely cut ties with Ryan in front of everyone.
This has nothing to do with Ryan. I’m moving abroad.”
Originally, Stella never planned to stay at this company long anyway. But because of Ryan, she’d screwed up her whole timeline and wasted way too much time.
When everyone heard how far she was going, they got even more emotional and crowded around her.
People asking about her love life, her career plans, everything.
Stella couldn’t handle all the questions, so she just smiled and said she’d take everyone out for dinner
Lonight.
Just like that, they had their goodbye party planned.
That night, they picked the karaoke bar near the office for the party. Stella had barely ordered her first drink when Ryan walked in.
With Ivy glued to his side, obviously.
The whole place went awkward as hell when everyone saw them together. You could feel people trying not
to stare at Stella.
Their department head jumped up to save the moment.
12:00
The
Im off to
Better Man”
12.5
Chapter 4
He started brown nosing hard: “Holy shit, you’re Ivy Reed! From the Reed Group? Damn, you’re even hotter
than the tabloids said.”
The Reeds kept Stella’s return on the down low, so everyone still thought Ivy was their only daughter and
Stella was nobody.
Ivy flicked her eyes toward Stella for half a second, then turned on the charm.
“Aw, thanks! Hope you keep taking good care of my Ryan at work.”
Ryan hadn’t looked at Stella once since walking in.
He wrapped his arm around Ivy’s waist and announced loud enough for everyone to hear: “Guys, meet my girlfriend, Ivy Reed.”
Stella’s chest tightened as she stared down at her phone.
She’d sat through this show countless times now.
Ryan was obsessed with parading Ivy around, making damn sure everyone knew they were a thing.
The first time nearly killed her – watching him give someone else everything that used to be hers.
Now? She just felt empty inside.
After some awkward small talk, someone cranked up the music.
A few songs in, their manager was getting wasted and went full emotional drunk mode.
“Everyone knows we’re here to say goodbye to Stella. She’s bouncing to study abroad…”
Stella’s hand froze on her drink. She hadn’t told Ryan yet, but now it was out there.
She wondered what his reaction would be.
She looked over – Ryan was totally zoned out, whispering something to Ivy that had her cracking up. He literally gave zero fucks what anyone was saying.
Honestly? Stella felt relieved.
Perfect. She could ghost without any mess.
The manager got even more hammered and suddenly grabbed Ryan’s shoulder: “Dude, you and Stella were goals! Like, serious couple goals. We all thought you’d put a ring on it. Can’t believe everything went to shit so fast. Man, I wish you guys could work it out…”
1200 C
1300
Chapter 4
The whole room went silent.
Music was still playing but everyone stopped what they were doing.
Since Ryan hooked up with Ivy, nobody had the balls to mention his history with Stella.
First time since his accident that Ryan heard about their past from someone else.
Ryan’s face went stone cold and he shut that shit down fast.
Never bring that up again. Don’t want my girl getting upset. I don’t remember any of that crap, don’t want o, and honestly? I couldn’t give two shits about Stella Harper.”
The vibe went arctic. Everyone was side-eyeing each other, shocked at how brutal Ryan was being.
vy just smiled like an angel after that verbal beatdown.
It’s totally fine. Stella’s sweet. You’re just being protective of me.”
The manager looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock: “Fuck, sorry guys. I’m a mess when I drink. My
ad.” He threw back a shot.
Everyone scrambled to change the subject: “Ivy, you’re such a saint! You two are perfect together!”
While they were all kissing ass, Stella quietly grabbed the check, paid for everything, and slipped out.
I was late, the moon hanging high above the trees. Stella walked slowly down the empty street, her breath till smelling like alcohol.
uddenly, a group of guys jumped out and surrounded her! Before Stella could even react, they rushed her ind grabbed her by the hair.
The Last Text 1 Sent My Ex Kot in That Wheelchair, I’m off to Marry a Better Man”
