Desired by All and He Threw Away 104

Chapter 104 

Taylor POV 

The morning starts with a knot so tight it feels braided straight into my ribs. 

i stare at the ceiling before i even get out of bed the kind of stare where my thoughts run ahead of me and crash into all the things i cant control.,Ruby. the city.,the decision i made last night that still feels like wet cement around my ankles. 

Stay here. 

Keep her here. 

keep her close. 

It sounded right when i said it. It still sounds right now. 

So why does my stomach feel like its chewing itself apart? 

by the time Ruby shuffles into the kitchen her hair is a tangled halo around her head and her sweatshirt is on backwards.,she doesnt notice and i dont point it out.she drops into the chair like gravity is personal., 

her toast sits untouched for a full minute before she finally drags a corner of it through the butter then lifting it to her mouth like it weighs about ten pounds., 

I lean against the counter pretending to drink coffee even though my hands are shaking just enough that the mug warms only my fingertips., 

“You okay?” I ask softly. 

Ruby shrugs without looking up. “It’s just school.” 

but its not just school.its everything she isnt saying stitched into the tension in her shoulders the way she picks 

at the crusts instead of eating.she keeps glancing toward the door like shes waiting for it to disappear. 

I watch her chew are slow and reluctant.like shes punishing the toast for something it didnt do. 

“remember,” i murmur, “i will pick you up after. We’ll get dinner. Or ice cream.” I try to sound light. Normal. Not like I’m clinging to control by the last thread. 

Another shrug. “Whatever.” 

i shouldnt take it personally.i know that.but it still sinks into me like a pebble dropped into deep water.., 

when she finally stands to leave her backpack hangs off one shoulder too big for her frame like its swallowing her whole.she doesnt hug me goodbye.,., doesnt even look at me.,just opens the door steps out and lets it click softly behind her. 

something in my chest tightens. 

A quiet, aching twist. I did the right thing. I know i did. 

keeping her with me and Aiden is safer than letting her drift through whatever storm shes been trying to outrun. 

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Chapter 104 

+25 Bonus 

And yet…. 

it still feels like im holding someone whos slipping through my fingers.by the time i reach the training facility the knot in my stomach hasnt loosened.its traveled–upward wrapping around my lungs squeezing my breath into shallow pieces. 

i swipe my badge walk through the lobby and step into the elevator.the metal doors reflect the faint morning light and thats when i notice the necklace. 

Aiden’s necklace. 

the one that looked too expensive when he gave it to me too thoughtful too deliberate.its rests against my 

somehow does. collarbone warm from my skin a tiny gleam of gold that shouldnt carry wei 

i didnt think about it when i put it on.I just… wanted it there.but as the ele crawls up my spine. 

abs a flicker of unease 

maybe i should have thought harder.the doors slide open with a soft ding.and everything every conversation every laugh every clatter of equipment- falters. 

Just slightly, but enough to make heat rise in my neck. The room doesn’t go silent.It just… tilts.Like I walked in carrying something glowing. Something forbidden. 

“Hold on.” 

Vanessa’s voice slices through the space sharp enough to make my steps freeze.she standing near the taping table arms crossed assessing me with that expression she uses when she smells something out of place. 

Her eyes lock on the necklace. “Oh my god,” someone mutters from across the room. “Is that–?“I reach up instinctively, fingers brushing the pendant.it suddenly feels too bright too loud too obvious. 

Vanessa steps closer head tilted, gaze zeroed in like shes zooming in with invisible lenses.” is that what i think it is?” she asks voice low but carryina few heads swivel. 

Then more. 

a ripple of attention spreads across the room like wind moving through tall grass.someone whistles.my pulse jumps so hard i can feel it in my throat. 

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