Chapter 290

Lucy's POV

"Yes," I answered without hesitation, looking directly into his eyes. "Cole, you need to move out. Or if you want to stay in this building, I'll move out. Either way, we won't be in contact anymore."

"This is ridiculous!" His voice suddenly rose. "Just because of that damn diary? Lucy, those were just my personal fantasies! I never thought anyone would see them! Do you hate me that much? Even if you don't have romantic feelings for me, can't we at least be friends?"

I felt anger burning in my chest: "Friends? Would a friend continue to hide the truth after knowing the damage that diary caused? Would a friend watch me and Ethan suffer for two whole years and say nothing?"

"I was wrong! I admit I made a mistake!" Cole's voice broke, tears glistening in his eyes. "But Lucy, you know me, you know the kind of person I am..."

"I thought I did," I let out a cold laugh, "until I saw everything you fabricated in that diary. You portrayed me as some lovesick fool, sacrificing myself for you. Cole, you've completely tainted every good memory between us."

Cole's face was filled with pain, his voice low and desperate: "Lucy, I'm not a saint. Yes, I love you, I wished you would choose me instead of Ethan. What's wrong with that? Haven't you ever wondered if, without that diary, you and Ethan would really be good together? Hasn't he only brought you pain?"

"Stop trying to manipulate me! At the end of the day, it was Ethan and I not trusting each other enough that kept us apart for two years because of your damn diary. But that was our problem, and you were just a bystander, someone who tried to take advantage."

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down: "I'll ask one more time. Are you moving, or am I?"

Cole looked at me, the hope in his eyes gradually disappearing, replaced by complete loss. His shoulders slumped, and he seemed to age ten years in these few short minutes.

"Don't trouble yourself, I'll go."

"Good," I said emotionlessly, then turned to open my door.

"Lucy," he called out just as I was about to enter, his voice full of pleading, "is this really how our friendship ends?"

I turned around, looking at this man who was once my childhood playmate, feeling a sharp pain in my chest. His face looked haggard in the dim light, with emotions I knew yet didn't recognize hiding in his eyes. I closed my eyes, and those happy times we spent together came flooding back like a tide. We once cared so much for each other, relied on each other, and I thought this friendship was unbreakable.

But why did he do it? That damn diary, those lies... Every time I thought about the deception he carefully wove, my heart grew colder. I wanted to forgive him, I really did, but the crack was too deep, too deep for even time to heal.

I opened my eyes, looking directly into his sad ones. "It ended long ago, the moment you decided to interfere in my marriage with a fake diary."

I walked into my apartment, closing the door behind me. Though outwardly calm, I was trembling inside. Is this really the end? I wondered, feeling a heaviness in my chest that made breathing difficult. Years of friendship, laughter, and trust—just gone? I gritted my teeth, forcing myself not to look back, not to think about his face standing outside the door.

Exhaustion hit me, and I collapsed onto the sofa. Was I being too harsh? a voice whispered, but another immediately countered: He betrayed you first! My temples throbbed as I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself, but I drifted off without realizing it.

When I woke, the room was dark, with only my phone's faint blue glow illuminating the coffee table. I blinked, noticing a string of notifications.

Fifteen missed calls. All from Ethan.

"Damn it," I muttered, my heart suddenly racing. What time was it? How long had I been out?

I stumbled to my feet, nearly tripping over the coffee table in my hurry to get to the door. My fingers fumbled clumsily with the lock in my eagerness. When the door finally opened, the sight before me made my heart clench.

Ethan stood in the hallway, his gray eyes immediately meeting mine. He looked completely worn out—hair disheveled, tie loosened, dark circles under his eyes. A small pile of cigarette butts lay scattered at his feet. A wave of guilt hit me. He must have been waiting for hours.

"Have you been waiting here the whole time?" I asked softly, my voice hoarse from sleep.

At the sound of my voice, his shoulders visibly relaxed. "Just for a bit."

"I fell asleep," I explained, running a hand through my messy hair. "My phone was on silent. I didn't hear..."

Before I could finish, Ethan pulled me into his embrace. The sudden motion caught me off guard, but my body instinctively melted against him. He buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply, his arms tightly wrapped around me as if afraid I might disappear.

"I thought last night might have been just a dream," he confessed, his voice muffled. "When you didn't respond... I was afraid you'd changed your mind about us."

"Never," I whispered, my arms encircling his waist. His familiar scent of cologne mixed with cigarettes surrounded me, bringing comfort. "I'm not letting go again, Ethan. Not ever."

---

The kitchen was filled with the enticing aroma of takeout. Candlelight flickered between us, casting a warm glow. Sitting across from him like this felt so surreal, as if the past two years had been nothing but a nightmare.

Ethan twirled pasta around his fork, his gaze never leaving my face. "So," he began, his voice tentative, "what did you do while you were away from New York?"

I took a sip of wine, considering my answer. Where should I start?

"I traveled," I said, watching him over the rim of my glass. "Worked. Started a company." I paused, setting down my glass. "Spent some time in conflict zones, helping where I could."

His fork stopped midair. "Conflict zones? Lucy, that's—"

"Dangerous?" I finished for him, a small smile playing on my lips. "I'm a doctor, Ethan. Danger is part of the job description."

He frowned. "I'm sorry I drove you away," he said quietly, regret washing over his face. "If I hadn't been so stubborn, so consumed by my jealousy..."

"Don't," I interrupted, reaching across the table to touch his hand. "Those two years changed me, made me stronger. My medical skills improved so much because of it. I don't regret leaving New York."

I only regret leaving you, I thought, but didn't say.

His expression shifted—pride, perhaps, mixed with admiration. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"So are you. Alpine Group is now the undisputed king of Wall Street. In two years, you created another business miracle."

A shadow crossed his face. "Business success means nothing when there's no one to share it with." His fingers intertwined with mine. "From now on, I'm putting us first. Work can wait."

I raised an eyebrow. "Ethan Storm putting work second? Are you feeling okay?"

He chuckled, gazing at me intently. "You're my first priority."

His candor made my cheeks flush, my heart racing. Damn, he was too good with words!