Aren’t you going
you going to answer that he asked, his voice carefully neutral
Serra glanced at the unknown pumber, then at Julian’s tense expression. Something cold settled in her stomach
Who do you think it in Jubany,
The question hung in the air between them, heavy with implications neither of them was ready to address
Chapter 13
Sierra jameson trote outside the private room at a high–end restaurant in Manhattan when the verheard voices discussing her boyfriend. Julian Westwood. She’d come to pick him up from his regular Thursday night drinks with trends.
now that Arias back from Paris, what’s your plan with
with Sierra?”
Juhan’s votre carried that practiced Wall Street neutrality. “What do you mean?”
“Come on man. You and Sierra have been together for three years. Aria’s tranfer back to the New York office changes things, doesn’t it?”
Through the gap in the door, Sierra watched Juhan take a slow drag from his vape. In the dim light, he exhaled before speaking quietly: “I honestly don’t know. The lat thing I want is to hurt Sierra, but Aria that’s complicated.“|||
His friend bet out a low whistle. “Aris was your college sweetheart. That relationship was i
ip was epir–everyone at Yale still talks about it. No one’s judging you for nothing her
“Look “anisher voice out in “Sierra’s been ride or die for three years, and she’s gorgeous. You’re telling me you’re still hung up on Ariar|||
Taban rubbed his temples, his voice carrying the weight of too many late nichts at the office. “Tes, Sterra’s stunning, nut when i first asked her out.. it was because the reminded me of Aria. These past years. Ive been chasing Aria’s glost.“||
So Sirma’s been your placeholder?” A heavy pause. That’s messed up, bro.“]
When are
are you planning to end someone
Julian tapped his vape against the table, watching the light pulse. “Not sure. Sierra’s… she gets me. She understands the crazy hours, never complains. Letting that go in
Der friend gripped Julian’s shoulder. “You cant have your cake and eat li too, man. Time to man up and make a call”
someone laughed. “If you feel bad, buy her something nice. Girls love that stuff“]]
The just keep
ep both,” someon
need. “Not all of us can juggle multiple dating apps like you, jackass.
Outside, Sierra’s lips curved into a bmer smile as she turned and walked onit, her heels clicking against the marble Door
she walked along the High Line. New York’s lights twinkling around her as she reflected on her three years with Julian. She’d thought what they had was real Now she knew she’d just been cosplaying in perfect ex
Standing at an observation deck overlooking the city, Sierra faced a choice continue down this path or finally accept her family’s wishes. A tear slid down her theek or the
umn wind whipped her hair.
She made her decniun ↑
Taking oun ber phone, the faceTimed a number she’d been avoiding
repat About the arrangement with the Blackwood family in London… I’ll do it.”
The cay be lids eat their glow across the skyline that never deepa. Standing beneath them, Sterra stared into the endless Manhattan night, her voice steady.
I’m just done with the dating scene. Tune to be practical“]
You were right all along i shouldn’t have fought you on this and ran off to New York. I get it now.”
Til head back to London unte Ive ted up losse ends here~||
When Sierra finally returned to their penthouse, it was past ten. Rosa, their housekeeper, met her with a concerned look and a covered duh
“Nothing
