Page 101 of Broken Destiny

My heartbeat stumbled.

I stared at the empty space on her finger, trying to process it.

She had worn those rings every single time I had seen her. Even when she spoke about Cole, her fingers would unconsciously brush against them.

But tonight, they were gone.

Had she removed them because today had shaken her emotionally? Because of grief? Because of the accident with Emma?

Or had something changed between us…?

“This is for you,” she said softly, pulling me back to the moment. “From the children and me for your birthday.”

I looked down at the cards, noticing the uneven letters and colourful drawings that could only have come from small hands.

“You didn’t have to,” I said, warmth spreading through my chest.

“It’s just a little something from us.” She shrugged before lowering her gaze.

“Thanks.”

“In case I don’t get a chance to say it, the children and I wish you a very happy birthday for tomorrow,” she said softly, lifting her eyes to meet mine.

I held her gaze, aware that staying any longer would only make leaving harder.

“Thanks,” I replied. “I’ll see you next week. Good night.”

I headed toward the door, every step filled with resistance to leaving the house behind.

As I stepped outside, I turned around just in time to see Jiya close the door behind me.

I stood there, holding the gift bag in my hand and staring at the front door.

Was it my imagination, or had something shifted between us at the door?

Her lips had parted slightly, and she twisted the chain around her neck in that familiar, nervous habit I remembered so well.

My gaze had dropped to her lips for a fleeting moment—lips I remembered too well.

Glossy, full, and undeniably seductive.

God, I want to kiss her again.

Then another thought surfaced.

The rings.

Why had she taken them off?

The question followed me all the way to the car.

Without another glance, I got in and drove off into the quiet night.

The entire day played over in my mind.

An accident had caused a rollercoaster of emotions I had not been prepared for.

After the helicopter dropped me off on the helipad of my building, I stepped into my penthouse and immediately felt relieved that Tatiana was not there.