Madison’s shrill cursing mixed with the crowd’s gasps and laughter echoing in his ears.
Chapter 10
Ryan woke up in the hospital.]
Head wrapped in bandages.
The bar scene kept replaying in his mind on loop.
Madison’s disgust and greed.
“Broke loser,” “pathetic,” and the image of her grinding on that gold chain asshole…
So vivid. So fucking ugly.
And in stark contrast–another woman’s face, Cool, composed, intelligent.
Violet never begged him for expensive shit. Even when his career was climbing, she’d warn him to be careful with investments.
She had her own life, her own success
She was s
strong enough that she didn’t need anyone. including him.
Ryan let out a bitter laugh.
Tears poured down his face, mixing with his cuts, salty and burning.
He finally got it.
Madison never loved him
She loved his money and status when he had the Sterling connection.
The second he lost that backing and became worthless, he was just trash to throw away.
Her neediness, her sweetness–all fake bullshit built on cash!
And Violet…
She didn’t need his money. Hell, she gave him opportunities and a platform.
The Sterling princess wanted loyalty, respect, an equal partner
But what did he do?
He mistook her independence for coldness. Confused Madison’s greed for actually being needed.
Hethrew away a diamond for a piece of plastic jewelry.]
The regret ate at him like poison
He’d fucked up so had
So completely.
So… permanently.
After getting out of the hospital, Ryan dragged his battered body back to the Sterling mansion–a place that used to feel like home, now totally out of reach.
His face was still covered in bruises.
This time he didn’t get on his knees or beg.
Just stood quietly outside the gate, asking the housekeeper to tell me he wanted to see me one last time. Just to say a few words.]
The housekeeper came back with my answer: No.]
Ryan’s eyes dimmed, but he didn’t look surprised
He faced the closed gate and bowed deeply, formally.[
Violet… I’m sorry. I really mean it this time. I was blind and stupid. I deserved all of this. I… I finally get where I went wrong. Thank you… for giving me chances I didn’t deserve. I hope… you have everything good coming to you.“]
He straightened up, took one last look at the Sterling estate.
Then turned around and limped away into the twilight.
Later, I heard bits and pieces about Madison.
Word was she’d been with gold chain Danny for maybe a month before his actual wife showed up at their hotel with backup.[]
They beat the shit out of her, messed up her face real bad. After that, nobody knew where she went
Ryan’s life was total hell tho
His company went under
To s
survive, he started running a hot dog stand downtown.
Few days in, some local thugs trashed his cart because he couldn’t pay protection money.
Cart, grill, ingredients–everything smashed and stomped into the street.
He just curled up on the pavement, covering his head, too broken to even fight back.
Right when he was about to end up homeless, someone from Sterling Industries” “Sunrise” charity foundation tracked him down.
