From Sweethearts to Strangers: A Tale of Broken Promises novel Chapter 9

The promotion and transfer were approved.

After saying goodbye to my reluctant coworkers, I moved to headquarters.

Mrs. Thompson invited me out to dinner, and I didn't refuse.

When I walked into the restaurant, I found Lucas sitting across the table.

He looked nervous.

"I got rid of Sophia. She won't bother you anymore."

"Can we start over?"

He pulled out my chair, set the table, and kept his head down as he spoke.

"I'll work harder. If you like it here, I'll try to transfer too."

"Or I can quit and find a new job here."

I stood at the door, not moving closer.

He eagerly walked over, pulling a gold necklace from his pocket.

He held it out like a treasure.

"Look, I fixed the necklace."

It looked exactly like the one I'd thrown away.

But the broken part had been welded, and it would never be the same.

He noticed me staring and awkwardly added, "It was too damaged."

"There's no way to fix it perfectly."

"If you don't like it, we can buy a new one."

"Emily, why won't you talk to me?"

I sighed.

"Some things can't be fixed once they're broken."

"I've already told you."

"The problem was never Sophia."

"It was always you."

Lucas's eyes flickered.

"It's my fault. I'll—"

I cut him off.

"You can't change who you are."

"You love the thrill of two women fighting over you."

"You call it 'charm.'"

"But the truth is, you don't really care about either of them."

"You just like the attention."

"I was wrong about you from the start."

Lucas stood there, the necklace still in his hands.

I turned and walked out the door.