Corrupted Chaos (Tarnished Empire)(92)

“You’re leaving me?” The tears didn’t even hesitate to fall from my cheeks almost immediately. Then I whispered what I couldn’t hold onto anymore, “But I love you, Cade. And it’s more than I ever thought I could love again.”

“Baby doll, give it some time, okay?”

“Time?” I screeched. “You think time is going to heal me from losing you? I can barely fucking breathe with what you’re telling me.”

He shook his head and started backstepping away from me, out of my room, out of my life. “I’m leaving now, before I take you on your bed for doing something crazy like throwing something at me.”

He was damn right. I lunged for the spray paint, but he was out the door before I chucked it.





30





Izzy





One whole stupid month.

He disappeared on me for a whole fucking month.

And it was a big month too. The news went wild with our nation breaking alliances off with Albania. We couldn’t ship there, operate businesses there, fly there. It was probably in everyone’s best interest to not even utter their nation’s name.

Cade had done that. Yet, the Armanellis apologized for nothing. The president commended them and Stonewood Enterprises for finding the hack, for unearthing more, and for their patriotism in the nation. I was never mentioned, but Cade seemed to be mentioned everywhere, except in my life.

He didn’t call, didn’t text, and didn’t even email.

But every day, he sent roses. And the one and only message had come attached to them the first day. You get roses for the rest of your life, dollface. You deserve them for what I put you through.

My mother wouldn’t let me throw them in the trash.

That first week, the election went off without a hitch, but I wasn’t allowed to go back to work to be a part of it. Lucas called me screaming about how our president was back in office, how we’d done it. It was one good blip in a sea of darkness. I tried to be happy our system went off without a hitch, that there was no hacking of the election. Yet, I couldn’t celebrate without him.

Cade had left me. And nothing felt whole when he wasn’t there.

The few days at home with my family came and went. I wanted to get back into my apartment; I wanted to get back to work and establish my routine. I needed to get back to normal. Yet, that same night, the apartment company emailed to say they were sorry I was canceling my lease but they completely understood.

I called the next day. “But I’m not canceling.”

“Oh, we received your email and signature. We’ve already accepted the payment, Ms. Hardy, and we’ve been blessed with a few applications for your unit already.”

“That fast?” I said in disbelief, but I knew what was happening.

Fucking Cade.

“We really appreciate the generous lump sum you provided—”

I hung up. That’s when I started the voicemails to him. I smashed his number into my phone and waited for him to not pick up so I could leave a message.

“Listen, you dick, you don’t want to be a part of my life, then stop meddling in it. I told you I loved you and you left me. That means that’s it. And stop sending me flowers. Technically, you’re sending them to my mom because all of them would be in the trash if it weren’t for her.” I sighed and tried not to cry. “I need to go back to my apartment. I’m . . . I freaking miss you, and my heart is breaking, and I can’t do that here. I don’t want to break down in front of my family. It’s not fair to them.”

He didn’t call back.

And, of course, I then broke down in front of my sister and my mom. They held me as I cried. We ate ice cream and watched the Real Housewives, and Lucas even drove over to watch it with us. It was terrible and gross and exactly what I needed.

The next day, I got another email saying my penthouse apartment in the city was ready.

I called him again and left another nasty voicemail telling him I didn’t want it. But my dad told me to quit being a baby about it and take a nice ass penthouse when it was offered.

“Oh, should I take Bug with me?” I lifted a brow, because the man was sitting there with my cat on his lap.

He looked instantly nervous. “I’ll keep Bug for a bit, huh? She needs a vacation from you two and your chaos.”

“Whatever,” I grumbled. Yet, he was probably right. Plus, Lilah and Lucas wanted that penthouse for me, and they pretty much packed my suitcase and dragged me there.

I walked in, and on the island counter were more roses. Outrageous amounts.

But no Cade.

Lucas told me not to dwell and to just enjoy the damn penthouse. So I made him come with me to move in my belongings. Not much was needed though. Beautiful leather furniture had been placed throughout with expensive paintings on the walls, lush carpets, and a walk-in closet that held a whole wardrobe of pencil skirts and freaking nineties T-shirts. My heart hurt when I saw a folded pile of Edward Scissorhands, Men in Black, and Pulp Fiction graphics. Another pile though had Harley Quinn on each shirt. He was making additions to my freaking life, like he wanted to be in it, like he still knew me and wanted me.

I fumed to Lucas and made him stay over night after night to keep me company.

We talked about our sobriety. I told him I was scared, and he held my hand while we both cried. I think we decided then that it was best for me to go back to work, to find purpose without Cade, and to move on.