Desired by All and He Threw Away 92

Chapter 92 

+25 Bonus 

Ruby’s lips press together. Hard. She doesn’t speak.because she doesnt actually have a reason just fear disguised as freedom.when she shoves past me and grabs her backpack i gently catch the strap. 

“no,” i whisper. “This stops now.“her chin trembles but her voice is sharp. “I hate you for this.” 

i swallow hard my throat tight. “you dont. You’re scared. And I’m not letting fear take you somewhere you can’t come back from.” 

She jerks away, the argument crackling between us like static–painful, loud, unresolved. Exactly like the cne I had with Aiden. 

And just like that conversation, it leaves something bruised and trembling behind. 

After that, I watch her quietly. 

Every glance she shoots at the door. 

Every message she tries to hide. 

Every half–packed backpack she refuses to unpack. 

I shadow her without making it obvious. 

I don’t sleep much. 

I barely eat. 

But the timing is awful.the athletic camp is spilling into its busiest stretch back to back events media days check -ins, scheduled massage sessions, last minute calls. Aiden’s schedule is a map of chaos and im supposed to be everywhere at once. 

Except I can’t be everywhere. 

Not anymore. 

not when one wrong hour could mean Ruby disappearing into an airport terminal and onto a plane with a boy who doesnt know how to spell responsibility much less practice it. 

on the drive back to the city the air in the car feels too heavy to breathe.my fingers squeeze around the steering wheel until my knuckles ache. 

i rehearse the words over and over but they dont get easier. 

Miss Jon–the neighbor who basically raised half this street–agrees to keep watch while I’m gone.her voice is steady reassuring but it doesnt unclench the knot in my chest. 

by the time i reach Aiden’s penthouse my throat burns from swallowing worry whole. 

I step inside. He’s at the kitchen island, flipping through papers with his usual focus.when he looks up his expression softens but not the calm unreadable softness im used to. 

It’s concern. 

1/3 

Chapter 92 

“Taylor?” he asks eyebrows drawing together. ” you look like you havent slept.” 

i dont bother easing into it.“I need to quit.“The words land hard, sharp, final.Aiden’s eyes narrow–not in anger, but confusion. A quiet, worried kind. 

“Taylor… slow down.” He sets the papers aside. “Is this because of our little argument? Or is it the workiced? Because we can adjust things.you dont have to make decisions like this when you are stressed or venting,” 

“im not venting.” My voice strains at the edges. “And it’s not because of our argument.” 

He studies me, searching.” i just cant keep up with everything,” i say, “not right now.“his jaw tightens slightly like hes bracing for a reason he wont like. ” then tell me whats going on.” 

“i will still be here when you need me,” i promise. The words scrape coming out, raw and honest. “Anything you need–call me. I’ll handle it.i just… i cant stay on the job officially.” 

Aiden hears the words but they skim the surface instead of sinking in.his mouth opens like hes about to tell me im overreacting being dramatic burning myself out. 

but something about the way im standing must hit him differently. 

He goes quiet. 

Too quiet. 

his eyes darken shifting from confusion to something heavier.he watches me for a long searching moment. 

“Taylor,” he says softly. “what arent you saying?” 

the air in my chest swells until it hurts. 

I tell him. 

Everything. 

Ruby. 

The boy. 

The flight. 

Tomorrow. 

how shes one impulsive decision away from vanishing.how i cant stand the thought of waking up one moming and realizing i wasnt there to stop her.something changes in Aiden’s face the second i say it. 

his breath leaves him in a slow controlled exhale.his posture shifts.his eyes soften not with pity but with understanding so deep it hits something tender inside me. 

the problem isnt the job. 

It’s Ruby. 

It’s fear. 

23 

It’s the war happening beneath my skin that he didn’t see until now 

And quitting… 

Quitting suddenly becomes more than a choice it becomes a bruise shared between us 

Alden looks at me like he wants to pull the weight out of my chest and carry it himself but he doesnt move. He doesn’t push.he doesnt ask me to reconsider. 

he just stands there breathing slowly letting the realization settle between us, 

and for the first time all day i feel myself break just a little quietly silently because walking away from this job hurts.walking away from him hurts. 

But losing Ruby would destroy me.Aiden nods once–small, steady, accepting and the space between us fills with something fragile and aching 

a choice that hurts both of us. 

Comments