I Stopped Waiting and Started Loving novel Chapter 11

A strong, firm hand suddenly caught her by the arm, steadying her instantly.

Even through the thin fabric of her shirt, Bonnie could feel the intense heat radiating from the man's palm and the undeniable strength behind his grip.

"Why are you crouching out here?"

Quentin looked down at her, his brow furrowed in annoyance.

He had just finished working out. His black hair was damp with sweat, clinging to his forehead, while his dark gray athletic tank top perfectly outlined his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He practically radiated overwhelming masculinity.

"Mr. Vance."

Recovering her balance, Bonnie quickly stood up straight and offered him the water and towel.

"It's important to rehydrate right after a workout, and warm water is much better for your stomach. I also brought a towel so you can dry off before you catch a chill."

She tilted her head up, her large, bright eyes filled with a cautious eagerness to please.

Quentin looked down at the items in her hands, then noticed the slight flush on the tips of her ears from sheer nerves.

"You're quite proactive."

His voice was raspy, still heavy from the exertion of his workout.

"Just doing what I'm paid for."

Bonnie's eyes curved into a bright, sunny smile.

Quentin stared at her for two seconds before taking the water and towel from her grasp.

"You don't need to stand guard out here anymore."

Dropping that single command, he turned on his heel and strode toward the master bedroom.

It wasn't until his towering figure vanished at the end of the hall that Bonnie finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Day one had passed smoothly, right?

...

When she returned to the guest room, her phone rang.

She answered it immediately.

"Bonnie! The landlord just told me you moved out? Where did you go?"

Jasmine's loud, unfiltered voice blasted through the speaker, brimming with concern.

Bonnie's heart warmed.

But her voice remained as eerily calm as a stagnant pool of water.

"Jas, we aren't getting back together this time."

Bonnie closed her eyes, her chest feeling suffocated, as if a wet sponge had been shoved down her throat.

In the past, whenever she and Parrish fought, he would disappear for days—ignoring her calls and leaving her texts on read.

In the end, she was always the one to cave.

She would cook all his favorite dishes, wait until late into the night for the sound of his key in the lock, and pretend nothing happened as she reheated the cold food and set it before him.

He would take a few bites, his expression would soften, and she would breathe a sigh of relief.

Back then, she always reasoned that because he had amnesia and no family, she was all he had. She couldn't just abandon him.

As long as Parrish showed the slightest hint of vulnerability, her heart would melt, and she would go right back to giving him everything she had.

She had thought that was love.

One person willing to wait, the other willing to return. She thought they could always make it work.

But now she realized that she was just swallowing her grievances time and time again, indulging his coldness until he saw it as his right, and convincing herself his absence was somehow her fault.