Chapter 17
For days on end, Tyler Horton had people deliver gifts to my company, without receiving a single acknowledgment.
Growing impatient, he finally came in person to corner me.
Watching him from afar, leaning against a Mercedes outside the office building with a bouquet of red roses, I found it both ridiculous and gratifying.
Just two months ago, he treated me like a worthless weed at his feet. Now he posed as if overflowing with tender affection.
I never exited through the main entrance.
After waiting two days without seeing me, he began to panic.
That evening, I took the elevator down to the underground parking lot. When the doors slid open, there he was–Tyler Horton blocking my way.
I glanced at him and brushed past without a word.
He grabbed my arm abruptly, “Elizabeth, I need to talk to you!”
Annoyed, I pulled free. “If you have something to say, say it quickly and spare me the
nonsense.”
“Elizabeth, you said you never want to hear me speak of love again, so I’ll show it through
action!”
“Did you get the gift I sent you?”
I didn’t respond.
Tyler’s eyes dropped to my hand and saw only the pink diamond Jeff had custom–made for me. His tone turned demanding, “Why aren’t you wearing the ring I gave you?”
I retorted, “How strange. I’m obliged to wear it just because I received it?”
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He Forgot It, He Regreted It
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Tyler was baffled, “Why not wear it? Didn’t you really like that ring?”
His twisted logic and shameless persistence were even more extraordinary than I’d imagined.
“Tyler Horton, would you eat breakfast that’s gone rotten by evening?”
“I won’t deny that I once liked that ring. But now, I neither like it nor need it.”
Do you think I’d be thrilled to receive a ring you once gave to someone else first?”
At that, Tyler gripped my hand, rushing to say:
“Elizabeth, if that’s the issue, let’s buy a new one right now! Whatever you like, as many as
you want!”
I looked at him coldly.
Noticing my sour mood, he softened his voice, “Elizabeth, I’ve done some serious thinking
lately. I know you’re only with Jeff Vince to spite me.
You loved me for ten years, and I loved you for ten years. We grew up together and have
always mattered to each other.”
“Who could have a deeper bond than ours?”
“I know I made mistakes, but we’re still young. We have plenty of time.”
“Elizabeth, this time let’s be serious–let’s start over, please?”
I snorted.
Then I laughed–laughed so hard I nearly doubled over, tears threatening to escape.
“Tyler Horton, do you truly believe that no matter how badly you’ve treated me, one little
beckon will have me wagging my tail and running back to you?”
He tried to defend himself, “That’s not what I mean. I really do love you! I just took a wrong
turn before, and now I know how to treasure you.”
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He clutched my hand more tightly, “Leave Jeff Vince and come back to me, okay?”
Propping my chin in thought, I asked, “And what’s your proof of sincerity?”
Seeing a chance, Tyler’s eyes brightened, “Elizabeth, anything you want, I can give it!”
I hinted, “Tyler Horton, I’ve never liked a relationship with a third person involved.”
I lowered my eyes. “It’s too crowded, and I’m the one who ends up suffering.”
Tyler immediately got the hint. He pulled me into his embrace, voice excited, “Elizabeth, I’ll
have Sarah Carlisle gone this instant!”
Tyler Horton tried to invite me to dinner, and I refused.
He left reluctantly, like some lovesick teenager.
I curled my lip and headed toward my car.
Just then, a sharp honk sounded behind me, so sudden that I frowned with annoyance.
I was about to snap back at whoever was so uncivilized when I turned and recognized the familiar silver–gray Rolls–Royce parked not far away.
Its headlights were on, beams aimed squarely at me.
Inside sat Jeff Vince.
Had he seen everything that just happened?
A sudden guilty feeling washed over me, as if I’d been caught red–handed. I offered him a sheepish smile, silently praying he’d seen nothing.
But at that moment, Jeff opened the door and stepped out, his long strides bringing him toward me with a predator’s calm confidence, like a lion closing in on its prey.
Behind those silver–framed glasses, a subtle amusement curved his eyes.
For the first time, I felt a subtle chill on my spine.
Chapter 17
Forcing a laugh, I tried, “Jeff, what a coincidence, what brings you here?”
He ignored my pretense, “Coincidence? I came expressly to wait for you.”
With that, he slipped an arm around my waist and, with a swift motion, hoisted me up entirely.
