The Only One He Loves novel Chapter 7

Ryan gripped the doorframe, his pleading eyes fixed on me. Gone was the confident star, replaced by a desperate man.

The Ryan I knew had never stooped so low. I remembered drinking myself into a hospital stay at an industry event just to get him face time with an A-list director.

I'd set everything up perfectly – all he had to do was raise a glass and make small talk. But he'd thought it beneath him, like networking was dirty. He'd walked out without a word.

He'd called me manipulative and scheming in front of everyone there. Yet when Olivia started out, Ryan had pulled every string he had, drinking himself into an ambulance just to get her a screen test.

That's when I understood: Pride means nothing when you truly care about someone.

I peeled his fingers off one by one and pushed him away. "Ryan, your survival isn't my concern anymore."

I watched the last spark of hope in his eyes die.

On our court date, Ryan clutched a thick photo album.

In front of entertainment reporters and gathered fans, he started flipping through pages. "Emma, remember this? Our first beach photo."

"And here – our first camping trip. We slept under the stars that night."

He kept going. "This one you have to remember! I surprised you with that veil, and you were so shocked you covered your mouth. I hadn't even proposed, but you were nodding like crazy."

"Emma, you said when we had money and time, we'd travel the world every year." The man once worshipped by millions now knelt before me.

He pulled out plane tickets, voice breaking. "I booked them, Emma. Will you come with me?"

Fans were sobbing, begging me to forgive him. Even hardened reporters wiped away tears.

But only I knew how much his Best Actor trophy owed to his acting skills. Even if this was real, I no longer cared.

I shredded the tickets and dropped them in the trash, looking down at him. "Go with you? Ryan, do you even deserve that?"