Chapter 89 Eighty Nine
Inside the apartment, the door shut softly behind them.
Izzy stood there for a moment, keys still in her hand, the silence pressing in on her chest. The night had been loud, full of music and lights and laughter, but now everything felt too quiet. Too real.
Maya dropped her heels by the door and stretched. “I’m making tea,” she said lightly, like nothing heavy had just happened. “You look like you’re about to pass out.”
Izzy nodded, moving slowly toward the couch. She sat down and stared at the dark screen of her phone lying on the table. Even though it was switched off, it felt like it was burning a hole through her.
Twenty calls.
Her chest tightened again.
Maya came back with two mugs and sat beside her, handing one over. “Drink,” she said gently. “You need it.”
Izzy wrapped both hands around the mug, the warmth seeping into her fingers. Her eyes filled, and this time she didn’t fight it. Tears slipped down her cheeks silently.
“I didn’t think it would hurt like this,” she whispered. “I really tried to be okay.”
Maya sighed and pulled her into a hug. “I know,” she said softly. “You loved him. Or you still do. That doesn’t just disappear.”
Izzy leaned into her, her shoulders shaking. “Why now?” she cried quietly. “Why call now after a whole week of nothing?”
Maya didn’t answer right away. She rubbed Izzy’s back slowly. “Because he realized he was losing control,” she said finally. “Men like him only panic when they feel something slipping away.”
Izzy pulled back slightly. “Do you think he cares?”
Maya looked at her carefully. “I think he cares in the only way he knows how,” she said honestly. “But that doesn’t mean he knows how to love you the way you deserve.”
That hit hard.
Izzy nodded slowly, wiping her face. “Adrian was… nice,” she said quietly. “Normal. Calm. No games.”
Maya smiled a little. “Exactly. And did you notice something?”
Izzy frowned. “What?”
“You smiled tonight,” Maya said. “Not forced. Not pretending. You smiled.”
Izzy thought about it. The dancing. The laughter. The way Adrian had looked at her like she mattered, not like she was something to control.
“I did,” she admitted softly.
Maya stood up. “Good. That’s progress.” She pointed toward the bedroom. “Now you’re going to shower, sleep, and tomorrow you’re not turning that phone on.”
Izzy hesitated. “What if he comes to the apartment?”
Maya shrugged. “Then I’ll answer the door.”
That made Izzy laugh through her tears.
Later that night, Izzy lay in bed staring at the ceiling. The apartment was quiet except for the hum of the city outside. Her phone stayed off on the dresser.
Her mind replayed everything—Dominic’s voice, his touch, his cold words that morning.
I don’t need love. Just sex.
Her chest ached.
But then another memory slipped in—Adrian’s soft kiss on her cheek, his easy smile, the way he asked instead of demanded.
For the first time in days, Izzy felt something shift inside her.
It still hurt.
But she wasn’t breaking anymore.
And somewhere across the city, Dominic stared at his own phone, jaw tight, eyes dark, listening to it ring again and again… only to be met with silence.
Monday morning came too fast.
Izzy stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her blouse with shaky hands. She looked calm on the outside, but inside her stomach was twisted tight. She hadn’t turned her phone back on until early that morning. No new messages. No calls. Just silence.
Maya’s words from the night before echoed in her head.
Act cold. Act distant. Protect yourself.
Izzy took a deep breath, grabbed her bag, and headed out.
The office lobby looked the same as always…busy, loud, normal. That almost made it worse. She stepped inside, her eyes moving on instinct, searching.
Dominic wasn’t there.
Her chest loosened a little… then tightened again. She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed.
She walked to her desk and sat down, opening her laptop, pretending everything was fine. Emails. Meetings. Deadlines. She focused hard, forcing herself to stay busy. Every time footsteps passed, her heart jumped.
By mid-morning, Maya sent her a quick text.
Maya: Remember. Head high. Don’t chase. Let him chase you.
Izzy read it twice, then locked her phone and slipped it into her drawer.
Around eleven, the elevator doors opened.
She didn’t look up at first. She told herself not to.
But the air shifted. She felt it before she saw him.
Dominic walked in, dressed sharp as ever, his presence filling the space like it always did. Conversations lowered slightly.
Izzy kept her eyes on her screen.
Dominic’s gaze found her instantly.
He slowed near her desk, clearly waiting for her to look up.
She didn’t.
She clicked her mouse, typed a few words, and stood up calmly, walking past him as if he wasn’t even there.
“Good morning, Izzy,” he said, voice low.
She stopped just long enough to turn her head slightly. “Morning, sir,” she replied politely. Cold. Professional.
Nothing else.
Then she walked away.
Dominic stood there, stunned.
That single word… sir… hit harder than any slap. His jaw tightened as he watched her disappear down the hallway without looking back.
The rest of the day was torture.
Every time they crossed paths, Izzy stayed distant. No lingering looks. No soft smiles. No private moments. In meetings, she spoke only when necessary. Her tone was respectful but flat.
Dominic noticed everything.
By late afternoon, his patience was gone.
As Izzy gathered her things to leave, her phone buzzed.
Dominic: Come to my office. Now.
Her fingers hovered over the screen.
Maya’s voice echoed in her head again.
You don’t owe him access to you.
Izzy slowly typed back.
Izzy: I’m done for the day. If this is work-related, please send an email.
She hit send before she could change her mind.
Across the office, Dominic stared at his phone, disbelief flickering across his face.
Izzy walked out five minutes later, her heart racing…. but her steps steady.
For the first time, she wasn’t chasing him.