He Ruined Me

i

I'd walk in on my boyfrien

ere w

th a text. A

:02

separate ways. I've changed. You'v

aughed. I lit

eep from my eyes and blinking at my phone

him. No

. Straight t

om and splashed cold water on my face. The grin faded. The c

st his mind

dy pain in the ass, but he wouldn't dump me o

gh

on

later-no warning, no makeup, wearing yesterday's hoodie a

as unlocked. Red

ed as I stepped

like vanilla can

aw them-

lt I bought him. Scattered

dly hopeful. Maybe they had a party. Maybe he p

hall and flung th

h I h

e he

his shirtless,

f my bes

l

e. The

of us w

n?!" I shouted, my voice

d he is, reaching for his pants like t

eets like we hadn't shared wine

it-" she

he walls weren't collapsing around me. "Are you seriously going

gh his hair. "Look, it

t you're both trash. And from where

and flustered. "It wa

ed. "Ex

We played Truth or Dare.

go, Ella. Not screw him behind my back and send

, it wasn't supposed

raid my hair and cry over bad rom-coms

ly calm in that dangerous, pre-crying ki

, I turned an

. No throw

ne-deep numbness

kind-with tissues, snot, and Taylor Swift on repeat. I deleted Caleb's number, blocked E

reality: He paid my rent. M

with nothing but pride and a

es

n woman with limited options and a da

nted on some eyeliner like war paint,

No drama.

anted to

oi

the night

nd also, unknowingly, beco

n't know

with sharp eyes, a darker suit, and a voice

ake the worst-and be

artbeat, lights flickering in hypnotic rhythm, and bodies swaying

rf

gh to numb everything. The bartender raised an eyebrow

e second one was smoother, slower, wa

everything. Tailored black suit, dark hair, broad shoulders, and a presence that

his eyes

he noise in t

way. Then

he'd been waiting. Like he alre

in. I should've left. I sho

his gaze and r

angerous kind of confidence only men with too

started walk

idn't move. I didn't even breathe. When he stopped in front

and smooth. American, but pol

," I replied, tippin

iend t

I corr

brow, amused

ook. "You don'

er, just enough to make my stomac

ry. "Are you always t

hen I'm

ch was dangerous. Because the last thing I needed was another a

, he sme

our name?

y head. "

nd. Then that smirk returned, deeper

t held out his hand, pal

red a

osed to say no. Walk away. Call an

put my ha

ed around mine,

He just leaned in, brushed his lips close to my