Mr. Denver: The Version You Didn't Hear

Chapter 28

I didn’t want to go to the charity event. Not because I was avoiding people—but because I knew she would be there, and I was tired of bleeding in front of the same audience, but I showed up. Like I always do. With a smile, with charm, with a woman on my arm.

Because if I couldn’t have Catherine Ashton… Then I would damn well make sure the world thought I was over her, but when she walked into that ballroom, shy, hesitant, clutching her dress like armor, everything inside me cracked.

And when she walked toward me, I felt that same electricity I swore I’d buried. I didn’t let it show. Instead, I said, “Just tell me what you want and then you can leave.” I couldn’t afford to make it easy for her.

She asked to speak alone. I nodded and followed her into the hall, every step louder than it should’ve been. And then…

"I just want to say sorry for what happened two years ago.”

That was it, a simple sorry. After two years of silence, of heartbreak, of rage, she gave me two syllables.

“Okay,” I said. Cold, controlled and hollow. She looked startled.

“Okay?” she repeated.

“We both moved on, right?” She asked if I had. I shrugged. Because how do you tell the love of your life that you spent two years wishing she’d knock on your door? I wasn’t going to say anything else, but then she started walking away.

And the anger inside me finally broke free.

“Two years ago,” I said, “I was ready to give you everything. I was moving my company. My life. My heart. I was ready for you, Catherine.” She froze.

“I tried to tie you down. I asked for a marriage, an heir. Hell, I would’ve given up everything just to see you beside me every morning. But you didn’t see it.”

She whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you were already halfway gone.” She begged then.

“I want you… I miss you…” And God, it hurt, because I wanted to believe her. But I couldn’t let her make promises she might run from again.

“You ruined me enough, Catherine. I’m done.” I meant it.

I think.

As I walked away, I wanted her to chase me, but she didn’t. Only Brad did.

Later, he told me what happened. How she broke down. How she cried like the pain was new. How she read the letter I wrote two years ago—the one where I told her I want her to be happy. I met up with Tim, not long after she left. Tim gave the letter to her and that made her want to go straight back to me, but somehow still wary.

I didn’t know she saw the necklace. The necklace was supposed to be a surprise. I custom made it for her, but she left before the necklace was ready. I gave it to Brad, telling him to throw it away, but Brad kept it. Didn’t know he handed it to her. I also didn’t know that the second I landed back in my condo in New York...

That necklace wouldn’t leave my mind. And that maybe—Just maybe—There was still time.

Because if she was crying over me… then maybe she never stopped loving me, either.

***

I didn’t expect her.

Brad said he was stopping by. I assumed lunch, maybe some dumb update on his latest date or investment. So when my secretary buzzed in and said, “Your best friend is here,” I got up from my desk with my suit jacket in hand.

And then she walked in.

Catherine Ashton.

Her hair was different, her expression softer. She held a paper bag in her hand—my favorite steak, from that hole-in-the-wall place only she remembered. God, she looked like a memory I hadn’t deleted properly.

“Hi,” she said awkwardly and just like that, the walls I spent two years building threatened to crack.

I asked, flatly, “What are you doing here?”

She stepped forward. “I brought you lunch.” That wasn’t what she was really offering. She was offering peace. Maybe closure. Maybe a second chance.

“I’m going to win you back,” she said, and it stopped me cold. That was her plan? After two years of silence, she was going to come in with steak and declarations?

“What? You’re going to ask me to marry you?” I laughed bitterly.

“Yes,” she said. I stared at her like she had lost her mind.

“I’ll drag you to the church if I have to.” And something inside me snapped.

“You really don’t get it, do you?” I stepped closer, voice lowering to a burn. “Your grandfather didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“I’m marrying Amanda in two weeks,” I said. “And I’m positive you got the invitation.” She paled. Her hands gripped the paper bag like it was an anchor.

“No. You can’t marry anyone but me.” It was too much. I stepped back, gritted my teeth. Don’t lose control. Don’t let her see it, but I couldn’t stop myself.

“You had your chance, Catherine. Your time was up two years ago.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, trying to touch my arm. I pulled away.

“I accept your apology. Now get lost.” I turned and walked out. I gave my secretary the order, hating myself even as I said it: “Get security. She’s not allowed back in this building.”

It wasn’t about protecting myself anymore. It was about surviving. I walked straight into the elevator, heart in pieces, when I heard Mandy’s voice in the lobby.

“Kyle? Surprise lunch!” Perfect timing.

“Let’s go,” I muttered, grabbing her wrist. “I’ll explain later.”

In the car, she finally asked, “She’s trying to win you back, huh?” I didn’t answer. I didn’t have to because Amanda wasn’t just my new fake fiancée, she was my friend. She saw right through me.

“You don’t want her back?”

“I don’t know what I want,” I said truthfully, watching the city blur past.

“You do,” she said. “You want her. You’ve always wanted her.” I parked the car and stepped out, breathing in sea air like it could cleanse me. Mandy followed and sat in the sand beside me.

“I’m jealous,” she said softly. “No one’s ever loved me like that.” I didn’t answer. Because that love? It was a curse now.

“I just want to forget her,” I said.

“You don’t. You never will.” Silence, then she looked at me and smiled sadly.

“You should stop punishing her for being scared. And stop punishing yourself for loving her.” I sat beside her, defeated. Because the truth is, I don’t want another wedding. I don’t want another name beside mine. I want the woman who broke my heart because she still owns it.