His Side Chick Made Him Dump Me… 100 Times! Now Watch Him Beg! - Chapter 90: Chapter 90

My first day back in New York, Ryan was waiting outside my door.
He looked way worse than I'd imagined—bloodshot eyes, dark stubble covering his chin.
Seeing me emerge from the elevator with my suitcase, he shot up, clutching a bunch of wilted lilies.
"Del..." His voice was completely shot, "Can we talk?"
I walked around him, going straight to unlock my door: "Nothing to talk about."
"Just five minutes!" He blocked the door, lily petals scattering. "I checked every flight, looked for you in Denver for two weeks..."
I stopped unlocking and turned to him: "So what? What happens after you find me?"
"I was wrong..." His eyes immediately welled up, "I really know I screwed up..."
I sighed and pushed open the door: "Come in. Ten minutes."
In the living room, Ryan perched on the edge of the couch.
"Nothing happened between us..." That was his opening line.
I laughed bitterly.
"Ryan," I cut him off, "you know what the most pathetic part is?"
"It's not that you cheated—it's that you're STILL lying about it."
I stared into his eyes, "You snuck out at midnight to see her, curled her hair, went on dates... none of that counts as betrayal?"
He looked up sharply: "I was just..."
"Just what?" I laughed coldly, "Just enjoying the thrill? Just messing around?"
Ryan's shoulders sagged.
"I admit..." His voice shook, "I had feelings for her... but it was just a moment of weakness..."
"No," I shook my head, "when our relationship hit its rough patch, you chose to run away."
The living room was dead silent. Ryan suddenly dropped to his knees and hugged my legs, tears soaking through my pants.
"Give me one more chance... please..."
I gently pushed him away: "Ryan, we're over."
I looked at his red-rimmed eyes: "Ryan, I'm grateful to you. During those first dark days after Mom died, you were there for me through every sleepless night."
"Remember back then? You'd come over every day after work with my favorite lilies, just so I wouldn't be alone at home spiraling."
Ryan's Adam's apple bobbed as a tear hit the floor.
"But..." I took a deep breath, "gratitude can't become love. I can't stay in this toxic relationship just because you were there during my darkest time."
He looked up at me, tears blurring his vision: "Five years... we're just gonna throw it all away?"
"BECAUSE it's been five years," I inhaled deeply, "I can't settle anymore."
Ryan was quiet for a long time before speaking.
"I'm sorry, Del."
When I walked him to the door, the sunset was right behind him. Ryan stood in the doorway, his shadow stretching long.
"Del..." He turned back one last time, "If someday..."
"There's no someday." I closed the door.
After leaving Ryan, I threw myself completely into work.
Six months later, I got promoted to department director. Standing at the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city lights, I suddenly remembered something Mom used to say:
"Del, love should be the cherry on top of life, not a lifeline."
I finally got it.
I didn't need anyone to validate my worth, and I wouldn't let someone's absence make me doubt myself.
I started taking oil painting classes, hiking on weekends, even signed up for a baking course.
Turns out, life alone could be pretty damn fulfilling.
Now I've finally learned to love myself first, then wait for the right person.