Chapter 59

CHAPTER 59

RYLEE

A couple of days later, we were finally packing up and leaving our little sanctuary. Although the last couple of days had been very tense. The initial excitement of getting to shack up in the luxurious penthouse quickly lost its luster after I felt trapped. And the relationship between Simon and me had taken a huge hit with my confession. I knew I hurt him, which was never my intention, but I had to be honest. I couldn't fake those feelings and play with his emotions. It was too cruel.

On the other hand, Simon had been nothing but understanding. He was being patient with me, giving me space, and still doing everything he could to help me through this difficult time. I didn't know how to deal with that kindness. How should I respond? What did he expect from me in return?

The driver held the car door open for me as I stepped out of the hotel with Simon. As we got into the car, Simon gave my hand a reassuring squeeze but didn't say anything. I leaned back in my seat, looking out the tinted windows.

"It feels like I've been locked up in a cell for a week," I said with a soft smile. "Like I haven't seen sunlight."

"Sorry," he murmured.

The week had been filled with high highs and low lows. Being locked away in the hotel with Simon, hidden from the world for our safety, had been a strange experience. The lows, however, were harder to shake off than I had expected. They were clinging to me like a wet blanket and I couldn't quite shake them off.

"You should be safe now," he said. "Everyone responsible for the egging and the brick have been identified."

"And are you pressing charges?" I asked.

"I've arranged to meet them, hoping to find some common ground before we resort to pressing charges," he answered. "But if it feels off or they refuse to stay away, I will press charges. They shouldn't be allowed to run free."

Although he was eager to take legal action, I believed it was a quick fix and convinced him to seek an alternative resolution first. I was glad he was listening to me. That meant something.

"Thank you, Simon," I murmured, looking down at our intertwined hands. "For everything."

"Rylee," he began hesitantly, but then fell silent.

I glanced over at him. His face was filled with worry, his lips set in a firm line. "Simon?" I prodded gently.

Exhaling slowly, he glanced out the window before turning back to me. "I want you to know whatever happens from here on out, I'll be here for you."

I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. The rest of the ride was silent, both of us lost in our own thoughts.

As we walked to my door, the silence between us was heavy. When we reached the entrance, Simon turned to me, his expression serious but tinged with a vulnerability I rarely saw. "Am I going to see you soon?" he asked, almost as if he knew what I was about to say.

I took a deep breath, feeling every word like I was pulling one of my own teeth out. "I need a bit of space, Simon. I want to see you all the time, but I need to make sure my heart isn't drowning out my head. Some space will help me see the whole picture, and then I can choose what I want with some objectivity. If you'll still have me, of course."

He nodded, his eyes searching mine. "I understand."

I leaned in, giving him a sweet kiss goodbye. "Don't get in your head too much. We'll talk in a week. Not before."

"Unless you reach out first," he added with a small smile.

I managed a smile back. "Unless I reach out first."

"I'll be going to Houston for a few days," he said. "I need to handle some business."

"Be safe," I said. "Keep your security with you."

He chuckled. "You sound as if you don't believe the egg-throwers won't do it again."

"I don't," I retorted. "But that's not the point. I just want you to be safe."

Simon didn't reply but nodded, his eyes radiating sadness and understanding. He hesitated for a moment as if wanting to say something, but then he simply leaned down to give me one last kiss on my forehead before letting go of my hand.

"Take care, Rylee," he said softly as he turned to walk back toward the car. As I watched him walk away, I felt a strange emptiness creeping in, a hollow feeling that was hard to shake off.

I watched from the front step as he got back into the car and drove away. The sight of him leaving left a hollow ache in my chest, but I knew this was necessary. I walked inside and saw Karen coming down the stairs.

"You're here!" she exclaimed. She walked to me and gave me a big hug. "I didn't know you were coming home."

"It's time." I smiled. "I'm happy to be free."

"Free of that luxurious penthouse suite with room service and housekeeping," she teased. "The horror. I'm surprised you survived."

"It's not as fun as you would think," I said. "I was bored out of my skull after a day or two."

She stepped back and looked at me, like really looked at me. "You look sad."

"It's been rough," I said.

"Come sit down and tell me," she said. She led me to the kitchen, her hand warm on my back. "Let's have some tea, okay?"

"I'd like that," I replied, sliding into my usual seat at the kitchen table.

Karen moved about the kitchen with practiced ease. She filled a kettle with water, set it on the stove, and then busied herself by getting out two cups from the cabinet as well as a tin of chamomile tea.

"The good stuff," she said with a wink, holding up the tin.

"Add a shot of whiskey and it would definitely be good." I grinned.

With the tea made, she brought the cups to the table. "What's going on?"

"I think I kind of broke up with Simon," I blurted out.

"How do you kind of do that?"

"I told him I needed space," I said. "I told him I didn't know if I wanted to live in his world with all the drama. I hurt him. I hate that I hurt him. He needs someone in his corner, but I'm just not sure I'm that person. We're taking a week off. I need to clear my head."

She was silent as she drank her tea. Karen tended to be a little blunt. She had already made it clear how she felt about Simon and me being with him. I braced myself for her to tell me it was good and I needed to dump him for good.

"How are you holding up?" she asked, her voice gentle.

That was not what I expected, but I was grateful she wasn't going to lecture me and tell me she told me so. I sighed, feeling the weight of the past week settling on my shoulders. "I don't know, Karen. I'm so torn. I want things to work with Simon, but I don't know if it's possible."

Karen's eyes softened with understanding. "It's okay to feel that way, Rylee. You've been through a lot."

I felt a lump forming in my throat. "I just don't know what I want. I mean, I know I want to be with him, but I don't want a life full of drama. And it seems like that's all we get when we're together. His phone is always ringing. People always need him to put out this fire or that. He has to make a million decisions every single day. It's just so much. I sometimes feel like I'm a distraction."

Karen nodded, her presence calm and steady. "It's a lot to think about. You need to take the time to figure out what's best for you."

"I know," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "But it's hard. I love him, Karen. I really do."

Karen reached out, taking my hand in hers. "Love is complicated. But you deserve to be happy, Rylee. Whatever that looks like for you. If his drama is too much for you to handle, then you have to do what's right for you. I know you care about him and you feel like you need to be there for him, but you have to think about your happiness."

Tears welled up in my eyes. "I just wish it didn't have to be so hard."

Karen squeezed my hand. "Sometimes the hardest choices are the ones that lead to the best outcomes. You'll figure it out. And whatever you decide, I'm here for you."

I gave her a watery smile. "Thank you, Karen. I don't know what I'd do without you. It's just the two of us."

She smiled back. "You don't have to worry about that. I'm not going anywhere."

"Except Kentucky," I reminded her.

"I'm not going anywhere yet," she assured me.

We spent another hour talking, her listening as I poured out my fears and doubts. Karen was non-judgmental and supportive, understanding how much I wanted things to work with Simon but also recognizing the reality of our situation.

"I've always been so sure of what I wanted," I admitted at one point. "But now, everything feels so uncertain."

"That's part of life," Karen said gently. "Sometimes things don't go as planned, but that doesn't mean you're lost. It just means you're finding your way."

I nodded, absorbing her words. "I just hope I make the right decision."

"You will," Karen assured me. "Whatever that decision is, it will be the right one for you."

"Thanks." I sighed. "I'm going to clean my room and get some laundry done."

She pointed at my new suitcase. "What's in there?"

I couldn't help but smile. "Simon insisted on buying me clothes and having them delivered to the hotel."

"That was nice." She grinned.

"He spoils me rotten, Karen. This is why I feel so bad for ditching him. He's done everything in his power to make me comfortable. He is so good to me."

"Being spoiled doesn't mean you're happy," she said.

"Exactly." I nodded. "It's such a paradox, you know? He showers me with everything I could ever want or need. He cares about me. But at the same time, his world is too grand and tangled for me to fit in. It's suffocating me."

Karen nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "It sounds like you know what you want and don't want, Rylee. The hard part is making your heart understand it as well."

"That's easier said than done," I said.

"I know. But time heals most wounds. You asked for time and he's giving it. Use it. Clear your head."

"Do you ever think about what your life would be like if you had made different choices?" I asked.

Karen took a sip of her tea, considering my question. "Sometimes. But I try not to dwell on it. The choices we make shape who we are, and I believe everything happens for a reason."

I nodded, her words resonating with me. "I just can't help but wonder if I'm making the right ones."

"You're doing the best you can with what you know," Karen said. "And that's all anyone can ask for."

I smiled, grateful for her wisdom. "You always know what to say."

Karen laughed softly. "I've had my fair share of ups and downs. It gives you perspective. And despite what I may sound like most times, I'm not all hard and crusty."

I chuckled, my spirits lifting slightly. "I'd never think that of you, Karen."

She gave me a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling. "Well, I'm glad to hear that. I'll let you get to your laundry. If you need anything, just give me a holler."

"Thank you, Karen," I said sincerely. "For everything."

"Anytime," she replied.