He Doesn't Love You Anymore (Amber and Ethan) novel Chapter 53

Our Ending Is Strangers

Our Ending Is Strangers

(Amber’s POV)

+25 BONUS

Relief washed over me as I ended the call with my father. The stunned faces around the studio were worth every second of that conversation. Shannon stood frozen, her perfect model pose suddenly stiff with shock. Ryan looked like someone had just told him the moon wouldn’t rise tonight.

“Now,” I said, slipping my phone into my pocket, “shall we begin the shoot? I’m thinking we’ll go with a more… humble concept than originally planned.”

Shannon’s agent stepped forward. “I don’t think-

“That’s right,” I cut her off smoothly. “You don’t think. If you did, you wouldn’t have allowed your client to waste my team’s

time.”

My wolf Cora purred with satisfaction beneath my skin, enjoying the way Shannon’s confident facade cracked. I turned to my assistant.

“Liam, please prepare the plain backdrop. We’re going minimalist today.”

I gestured for Ryan to follow me outside. “A word, please.”

Once we were alone in the hallway, I let my amber eyes flash with barely contained anger.

“What the hell were you thinking?” I demanded, crossing my arms

Ryan ran a hand through his hair. “Amber, I didn’t know—”

“Save it,” I snapped. “Shannon deliberately provoked me and Paige. She postponed and rescheduled, wasting our time and

resources.”

Ryan’s expression darkened. “That’s not what she told me.”

“Of course not. And you believed her because…?” I let the question hang in the air.

“Look, I was just trying to help a friend,” he said defensively.

I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “A friend? Is that what we’re calling it now?”

Cora growled beneath my skin, and I felt my control slipping. Shannon was one thing, but Ryan’s betrayal of Paige cut deeper.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Paige was crying before you arrived. She was worried about how this would impact her sister–in–law’s career at the magazine.”

Ryan’s eyes widened. “I didn’t realize-”

“Exactly. You didn’t think about how bringing Shannon and Jessica Carter, the deputy editor who’s directly opposing Paige’s sister–in–law, would affect Paige.”

My fingers briefly shifted into claws before I took a deep breath, forcing Cora back.

“Ryan, if you hadn’t helped me when I was at my worst abroad, I would have hit you today and then cut you off!”

He stepped back, genuinely alarmed by my outburst.

“There’s a line between pack business and personal life,” I continued, my voice steadier now. “And you’ve just trampled all over it. What were you thinking, bringing Shannon here?”

Ryan’s shoulders slumped. “Where’s Paige now?”

“She left,” I said bluntly. “And honestly, I don’t blame her.”

Our Ending Is Strangers

(Paige’s POV)

+25 BONUS

The Lunar Brew Café was quiet at this hour. I chose a corner table, as far from the windows as possible. My phone buzzed with another message from my sister–in–law, asking for updates on the photoshoot.

How could I tell her that Ryan had shown up with Shannon Miles and Jessica Carter? That he’d stood there silently while Shannon belittled both me and Amber?

My wolf Amy paced restlessly inside me, whimpering with hurt and confusion. We’d been so sure about Ryan. So certain he was

our mate.

The bell above the café door jingled, and Ryan’s familiar scent reached me before I saw him. My heart clenched painfully in my chest.

“Paige,” he said softly, sliding into the seat across from me.

I kept my eyes on my untouched cup of moonlight herbal tea. “What do you want, Ryan?”

“To explain,” he said, his normally confident voice subdued. “I met Shannon at the entrance coincidentally. I had no idea about the rescheduled time.”

I finally looked up at him, studying his face for any sign of deception.

“And the apartment?” I asked, referring to the gossip I’d heard about Shannon staying at his place.

Ryan sighed. “There was a rogue wolf incident in her neighborhood. I lent her my spare apartment out of concern for her safety. Nothing more.”

“Should I believe that?” My voice was surprisingly steady despite the storm raging inside me.

“I said that I wouldn’t start a new relationship before the previous one ends,” he insisted, reaching for my hand across the table. “I won’t seek another mate before our engagement bond with you is broken. Shannon and I are not the kind of relationship you

think.”

I pulled my hand away before he could touch me. My usually soft brown eyes hardened as I stared at him.

“So it’s the engagement bond that’s holding you back?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’m sorry.”

Ryan flinched as if I’d slapped him. “That’s not what I meant.”

“What did you mean, then?” I challenged. “Because from where I’m sitting, it sounds like you’re just waiting for an excuse to move on.”

The café around us seemed to fade away as I gathered my courage for what I needed to say next.

“Do you know what Amber did with Ethan?” I asked, abruptly changing the subject.

Ryan looked confused by the sudden shift. “What do you mean?”

“She kept a mental tally. Every time he disappointed her, she added points. When he reached a certain number, she ended things.”

Understanding dawned in Ryan’s eyes. “Paige…”

friends.” “I’ve been doing the same thing with you,” I admitted, watching his expression carefully. “Every time you put someone else’s needs above mine. Every time you made me feel less important than your pack business or your

Amy whimpered inside me, but I pushed forward.

“I set a limit of ten points,” I continued. “Ten strikes before I would sever our pre–mate bond.” Ryan’s face paled. “And how many do I have now?”

Our Ending is Strangers

“Nine,” I said simply.

The silence between us stretched painfully.

+25 BONUS

“I still love you, Ryan,” I finally said, my voice softening. “But I won’t compromise my self–respect or my family pack’s peace of mind for anyone. Not even you.”

I stood up, collecting my purse. “You have only one point left now.

Ryan reached for me. “Paige, please—”

“I need to get back to Amber,” I said, stepping away from his touch “She needs support after dealing with Shannon.”

I walked to the counter and ordered a venison sandwich to take back to Amber. As I waited, I felt Ryan’s eyes on me, but I didn’t turn around.

(Ryan’s POV)

I watched Paige walk away with the takeaway bag in her hand. Her scent lingered at the table, tinged with sorrow and resolve. Nine points. I’d disappointed her nine times, and I hadn’t even realized it.

My wolf howled mournfully within me. How had I missed the signs? Had I been so caught up in pack business that I’d neglected the most important person in my life?

Trecalled Paige’s words about her decision to end our engagement bond if I reached ten points. The realization that she had been silently keeping score, just like Amber had with Ethan, sent a chill through me.

Even more disturbing was her revelation that she had deliberately asked me to show support for Shannon. Not because she wanted me to help Shannon, but because she wanted to solidify her resolve. She’d been testing me, and I’d failed spectacularly.

The waitress approached, asking if I wanted to order something. I shook my head, too lost in my thoughts to consider food.

Paige’s final words echoed in my mind: “Our ending is strangers, not even packmates.”

The finality in her voice had been unmistakable. She wasn’t making an idle threat–she was preparing herself fo

One point left. One more mistake, and I would lose her forever.

(Amber’s POV)

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