Page 84 of Broken Destiny

CALEB

“Ineed to go to Vancouver Island for work,” I lied to Tatiana.

“But it’s the weekend,” she said, irritation flashing across her face. “We have the Vogue Fashion Party to attend, and we have to make an appearance at the Middletons’ house. Plus, we have an appointment with the caterers this afternoon.”

“Can we reschedule that for tomorrow?”

“Fine.” She rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively in the air.

Another party.

I was sick of it.

There had been a time when I enjoyed that lifestyle, but now the endless parties and attention felt exhausting instead of exciting. Tatiana still thrived in that world, loving the spotlight and everything that came with it. When I was younger, I had fit into it too, but somewhere along the way, my priorities had changed. I kept hoping that after our engagement, hers eventually would as well.

“I’m sorry, but this is important.” I walked to her.

“How come it’s become more important than me… than our wedding?” she asked, her lips pressed together.

“It’s not more important than you or the wedding. But you know Idon’t like attending these events. I only go because I know you enjoy them.”

“I go and hang out with your family every week. You don’t hear me complain, do you?” She pouted, folding her arms across her chest.

“Do you not like my family?” I asked.

“It’s not that.” She sighed heavily. “It’s just that I don’t want to do it every week.”

“We don’t. We always alternate between yours and mine, and we don’t do it every week. It’s probably once or twice a month because you want to go out on weekends.”

Tatiana rarely complained openly, but I knew family time was not something she enjoyed. She valued her independence and preferred nightlife and social gatherings.

I could not even remember the last time we had shared a quiet dinner alone at her apartment or mine. I had cooked for her several times because I genuinely enjoyed it, but she had never cooked for me. It did not really matter, though sometimes I wished she had wanted to. Instead, she always suggested going out to restaurants.

Right then, I had no interest in dragging the conversation out any further. I was already running late for Lucas’s birthday party, and after Liam mentioned it during the meeting, I had decided I was going.

I did not want to miss it.

“You know how important work is to me,” I said, meeting Tatiana’s eyes. “This new project has been taking up a lot of my time.”

“Fine,” she said, sighing loudly. “But can you promise me something?”

I wanted to end the discussion quickly. I would agree to whatever she asked, but I also needed to be careful not to raise suspicion about where I was really going.

“Yes, anything, sweetheart.”

“Next weekend, you’re all mine,” she said firmly.

“I promise. I’ll be all yours next weekend.”

I leaned forward, kissed her, and hurried out the door before she could ask any more questions.

Driving toward Jiya’s place,I realized that the last few visits there had left me feeling lighter than I had in a long time. The knot that had sat permanently in my chest during the past year and a half with Tatiana seemed to loosen whenever I was around Jiya and the children.

I still had so many unanswered questions, but I could not deny how much I enjoyed spending time with her and the children. Her home felt warm, genuine, and alive in a way that my own life had not felt for a long time.

Even knowing there had only been one man after me did little to ease the bitterness that surfaced whenever I thought about him. That one man had become important enough for her to marry. Important enough to build a family with. Important enough for her to have Emma.

My jaw locked at the thought.