Chapter 8 - The Weight Of Regret
The remainder of the gala passed in a surreal daze for Claire. While the orchestra resumed playing and the crowd dispersed into hushed clusters dissecting Adrian's public downfall, Claire slipped away from the ballroom. She rushed down the grand marble staircase, her heels clicking frantically against the floor, clutching her award like an unbearable weight.
Outside in the brisk October night, she saw Ryan standing near the VIP valet roundabout. He was alone, having dismissed his security detail, waiting for his private car to be brought around. He looked so strikingly handsome in his dark suit, yet so infinitely distant.
"Ryan!" Claire cried out, tears finally breaking free and streaming down her face, ruining her makeup.
Ryan turned around slowly, his hands buried deep inside his trouser pockets. "Ms. Donovan. You should be inside enjoying your reception."
"Don't call me that! Please, Ryan, don't look at me like that!" Claire sobbed, rushing toward him, stopping just two feet away when she saw the impenetrable barrier in his gray eyes. "I didn't know. God help me, Ryan, I swear to you I didn't know who you were!"
"I know you didn't," Ryan answered softly. "That was the entire point."
"Why did you lie to me?" she pleaded, her voice trembling violently. "Why did you pretend to be a simple mechanic? Why did you let me believe you had no ambition?"
"I never lied to you, Claire," Ryan said, his voice laced with profound sorrow. "I never once claimed to be poor. I told you I worked at Simmons Auto because working with my hands keeps me grounded. I told you that peace of mind was more valuable to me than corporate posturing. You just saw the coveralls and assumed that was all I was worth. You looked at a man who spent his weekends fixing your broken heater, driving you to night school, and loving you unconditionally, and you decided he was a failure because he didn't wear a designer suit."
Claire broke down completely, burying her face in her hands. "Adrian tricked me! He lied about everything!"
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"Adrian didn't force you to say the words you said in the garage yesterday, Claire," Ryan reminded her gently, yet firmly. "You told me I was comfortable settling. You told me you were going somewhere, and that you couldn't be burdened by someone who wasn't built to climb. You threw away three years of loyalty because you thought someone shinier could give you a shortcut."
"I was stupid! I was terrified of being poor again!" Claire wept, reaching out to touch his sleeve, but withdrawing her hand when Ryan didn't lean in. "I love you, Ryan. I have always loved you. Can we please just talk? Can we fix this?"
