Chapter 6: Empty Words
Tyler sank into the chair opposite me, his hands shaking violently as he clasped them together.
"Elena, I was an idiot. I was blinded by ambition. Chloe fed me lies, told me that you were holding me back from real power. I lost my mind!" He reached across the table, but the stone-faced bodyguard behind my chair stepped forward, resting a hand on his holster.
Tyler pulled his hands back quickly. "I miss you. I miss our life. I want to be a father to our baby. Please, give me a second chance. I'll work at the bottom of the company. I'll sweep the floors! Just don't destroy me."
I looked at him, feeling no anger—only a profound, liberating pity.
"Tyler, do you remember what you said to me on the steps?" I asked quietly. "You called me fragile. You said I was a liability."
"I didn't mean it—"
"You meant every single syllable," I interrupted gently. "You didn't love me when you thought I was poor, and you don't love me now that you know I'm wealthy. You only love what you can extract from other people."
"Elena, I have nowhere to go! My landlord evicted me. My family won't take my calls because they invested their pensions into my company!" he pleaded, tears finally spilling down his cheeks.
"I won't let your family starve, Tyler," I stated. "I bought out their shares at full value yesterday. They are safe. But as for you... you must learn who you are when you have nothing to hide behind."
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"Security," Jonathan Sterling called out. "Escort Mr. Hayes out."
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