Chapter 128 Mix-Up
ANNA'S POV
Oh, you had to be kidding me.
This had to be some kind of sick joke.
I stood frozen just inside the doorway, my eyes locked on the scene in front of me, trying to process what I was seeing. Ryan. Sitting comfortably on the couch like he belonged there. And right beside him — Tracey. His ex. In my parents’ living room.
First of all, Ryan brings his ex to a place that was meant for only my eyes. A place he swore was special, a place he claimed no other woman had ever been to. And now, he had the nerve to bring that same woman into my house?
Was he trying to play some kind of game with me?
Was he trying to get a reaction, trying to see how far he could push me before I snapped?
Because if that was his goal, then congratulations. It worked.
“What’s going on here?” I asked, my voice sharp as my eyes flicked from Ryan to Tracey, then finally to my parents.
Mom and Dad sat on the couch, looking far too calm for a situation that was anything but. The disappointment settled heavily in my chest. Ryan was like a son to them, yes, but the moment they heard what he did, they shouldn’t have entertained him in this house at all. Let alone allow him to walk in here with his ex.
Ryan immediately stood up the moment our eyes met. I could see him swallow hard, his shoulders stiffening as he felt the tension rolling off me. He knew I was furious.
“My dear, why don’t you take a seat,” my mom said gently, patting the couch beside her. “There’s a lot we all need to talk about.”
“No,” I replied instantly, not even trying to hide my anger. “There’s nothing to talk about that involves him. Why is he here? And why are they both here?”
“Relax, Anna,” my dad said calmly. “There’s no need to raise your voice. This is all a mix-up, you need to listen to understand.”
A mix-up?
So that was it. He had come here to spin his story, to turn my parents against me and make it seem like I was the unreasonable one. How could they not see what was right in front of them? Another woman was sitting right next to him, in my house, acting as if she belonged there.
“No,” I said firmly, turning my attention fully to Ryan. “The only thing I understand clearly is that you lied to me.”
I could feel my chest tightening as I spoke, my hands clenching at my sides as I fought to keep my emotions under control.
“I promise you, I didn’t betray you or lie to you,” Ryan said quickly, his voice steady but strained.
“Then how do you explain her coming to your villa?” I shot back. “How do you explain the fact that she still has your keys?”
“I was going to explain all of that,” he said, frustration creeping into his tone, “but you never gave me the opportunity.”
“Because I know it’s all going to be lies,” I snapped.
“Anna, you’re overreacting and taking this too far,” my mom said, her voice firm now. “Hear him out before you regret your actions.”
“Regret what actions?” I asked bitterly. “You know what, I’m not listening to any of this. You can hear whatever they have to say for all I care. I’m going to my room.”
I turned on my heel, already done with the conversation. I had made up my mind. I didn’t want explanations. I didn’t want excuses. I just wanted to be away from him.
“Hold on, Anna,” Tracey’s voice cut in.
She stood up quickly and rushed forward, stepping directly into my path and blocking my way. That alone was enough to make my blood boil.
“Think about it,” she said, her tone calm in a way that felt almost insulting. “They’re your family, and yet they chose to let us in. That alone should tell you they’ve seen that this is a misunderstanding.”
I stared at her in disbelief.
“You know you’re the last person who should be talking to me right now,” I said slowly, my hands curling into fists. “And you’ve got a lot of balls following Ryan here. A lot.”
The audacity of this woman. Not only was she in my house, but she had the guts to stop me from walking away.
I was seconds away from pushing past her when her words settled in my mind. As much as I hated to admit it, she did have a point. My parents weren’t easily swayed, and they wouldn’t have allowed this if they didn’t believe there was something I needed to hear.
“Hey,” Dan’s voice came from beside me. “Remember your promise. Calm down and hear him out.”
I didn’t want to be in the same room as Tracey for another second. My eyes moved from my mom to my dad, then to Ryan, and finally to Dan. After a long moment, I let out a slow sigh and walked back toward the couch.
“Five minutes,” I said, my voice cold as I looked directly at Ryan. “That’s all you have to explain. And if I don’t like what I hear before then, I’m leaving.”
He nodded immediately, relief flashing briefly across his face.
“Thank you,” he said quietly.
We all sat back down, the air thick with tension. Even though everyone was seated, it felt like the room was holding its breath.
“I’m going to go straight to the point,” Ryan said after a moment. “I want to explain why what you think is going on between Tracey and me is just a misunderstanding.”
He reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and extended it toward me.
“Why are you giving me your phone?” I asked, hesitating slightly before taking it.
“Because everything you need to know to clear this misunderstanding is in that phone,” he said.
The room went silent as I stared down at the device in my hand, the weight of it feeling heavier than it should have. Every pair of eyes in the room was on me now, waiting.
Waiting to see what I would find.