Rift in the perfect picture

Chapter 0264

“What kind of company is it?” I asked Pete

“Oh, it’s a tech company.”

I sell didn’t quite get it, and I couldn’t think of anything else to ask, so l resorted to a very simple question. “Tough job?”

He grinned. It’s alright.”

1 locked at Pete, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. For a bef moment, he was all I could see, but I couldn’t find the words to respond.

I could only imagine the lengths Pete had gone to persuade his father. After all, to turn around a company that had been in the red for three years was a rear impossible feat, but he’d undertaken such a grueling challenge for me.

He painted a rosy picture, never once mentioning what would happen if he failed. I couldn’t help but wonder what would be waiting for him if things didnt go as he planned.

Pets had sacrificed so much for me, and I had no idea how I could ever repay him. The thought made my heart ache unbearably.

My relationship with Nick was spiraling beyond my control. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind for a new relationship–at least not now, when I had so much emotional baggage.

I looked him in the eyes and said, “I hope you can see this as a chance to grow. Since you’ve chosen to take on this challenge, I hope you’ll gain something from it. I hope you’re not just doing it for me.”

If I followed him, I would only distract him. I genuinely wanted him to get the recognition he deserved from his family and forge his own path.

Nicholas had mentioned that the Shelman family always had high hopes for Pete. He even hinted that, if it hadn’t been for me, he might have already reached greater heights.

Pete’s smile faltered, and his eyes misted over. “I know why I’m doing this,

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so you don’t need to tell me that.

“If you don’t want to come with me, you can stay here and wait for me for three months. I promise the next time you see me, I’ll be holding a huge bouquet of roses just for you!”

“I know you can do it,” I said solemnly, looking at him. “And I’ll be here waiting for you.”

I offered to take him somewhere else for dinner as a send–off, but as soon as we rose to our feet, two men walked straight toward us, stoppin

5 in our tracks. It was Nicholas and Marcus Shelman, Pete’s older brother.

With a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, Nicholas asked, “What are you waiting for? Mind letting me in on the good news?”

Pete’s expression changed slightly. “Marcus, what are you two doing here?”

Marcus ignored him, his calm gaze resting on me. “It’s been a while, Ari.”

He reached out, and I gave his hand a brief, soft shake before letting go. “It has been a while, Marcus.”

Even when I was a kid, I always found him a bit intimidating. Perhaps it was because he was the eldest child in his family, but he carried himself with a maturity beyond his years that gave him a natural air of authority.

He nodded and smiled at me. “I need to talk to Pete. Let’s catch up another. day.”

Pete’s expression hardened. “Let me take Ariana home first, Marcus.” He then took my wrist and started to lead me outside, but a pair of large hands clamped down on his shoulders.

“Since you’re in such a hurry, you can go with Marc.” Nicholas stood in front of Pete, refusing to budge.

Marcus, wearing a disapproving expression, demanded, “Come home with me, Pete. Dad didn’t say you could…” He stopped mid–sentence, his eyes landing on Pete’s grip around my wrist.

His voice was laced with disappointment as he said, “Let go already. I trust

Nick will take Ari home safely.”

I patted Pete’s hand softly and mouthed the words, “I’ll wait for you“. Only then did he let go of my hand and snorted at Nicholas before storming out of the cafe.

After saying goodbye to Marcus, Nicholas took my hand and dragged me over to his car. He grasped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“What was that look you gave Pete?”

Fear gripped him as he realized the emotions stirring in her gaze were no longer for him and never would be again. The sudden realization hit him like a bolt, causing his eyes to widen in disbelief.

“Have you fallen for him, Ariana Jones?”