Too Late for Sorry, Mr. Billionaire (Chasing my Wife Back) novel Chapter 97

THE morning sun streamed through the boutique, casting a golden glow over the polished displays. Ryan was carefully adjusting a hat on a mannequin, making sure it sat just right, when a familiar voice called out behind him.

“Ryan!”

He spun around sharply, a small smile forming as he recognized the voice. It was Clara. Relief and surprise mingled in his expression— relief because he had heard her approach, surprise because he hadn’t expected her to be here.

“Clara! Hey, what are you doing here?” he asked, straightening up and brushing imaginary dust from his hands.

Clara laughed, shaking her head in mild exasperation.

“Seriously? I came to see my friend of course. Stopped by at her office to drop off some designs and… guess what? One of the sales reps told me she is not on her seat. Not here. Not a word to anyone!”

Ryan raised his eyebrows, glancing around as if checking that Amelia hadn’t suddenly appeared behind a corner.

“She… didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what? Is she okay?” Clara asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Ryan noticed and smiled to free tension.

“Oh! Yes, yes. She is fine. She went on a vacation. I thought she told you,” he said.

Clara shook her head.

“Nope. Not a word,” she said, crossing her arms and mock frowning. “Can you believe that? Amelia went off on a whole vacation without telling her best friend. I could sue her for emotional trauma, you know that?” She laughed, shaking her head again.

Ryan grinned, feeling a mix of amusement and concern.

“Wow… she really kept this from you, huh?”

“I mean… I knew she was planning something,” Clara admitted, “but I didn’t think she would just vanish like that. Ryan, I came here hoping to see her, and now I’m left standing here like a fool.”

“You are not a fool,” Ryan said quickly. “I guess… she wanted to keep it a surprise?”

Clara tilted her head, smirking.

“A surprise for me? Really? She could have at least sent a text. Or a quick call. I walked all the way here thinking she would be on her seat, and nothing.” She shook her head, feigning indignation. “I swear, Ryan, Amelia is lucky I adore her. Otherwise, I would have raised heaven and earth over this.”

Ryan chuckled.

“So… you want to know where she is?”

Clara nodded.

“Of course. Spill it.”

Ryan hesitated, then leaned slightly closer.

“She went on a little vacation. Bahamas. She left a couple of days ago. She is… busy doing some personal projects there.”

Clara’s eyes widened.

“The Bahamas? Seriously? Ryan! Why didn’t she call me? Or at least text?”

Ryan shrugged.

“I don’t know. Maybe she wanted it to be a break, completely unplugged. Maybe she didn’t want to worry anyone. You know her.”

Clara laughed softly, shaking her head in disbelief.

“I should have guessed. She is always full of surprises. But still… she could have warned me. Honestly, I wanted to see her face, not just hear from someone else.”

Ryan raised a brow.

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