Page 129 of The Jealous Girl

Ryan’s gaze narrowed. ‘We can’t all focus on our own happiness at the expense of everyone else’s.’

I took a step backwards as his words collided into me like a physical blow.

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ My voice was quiet and tentative. Yet it took all my strength to ask the question.

His meaning felt so clear. So accusatory. Surely he couldn’t have meant it? He couldn’t think I was that selfish.

I’d abandoned my plans, my hopes, my happiness, for his family.

For him.

Yet he acted as though that wasn’t enough.

I thought us being together was all that mattered. The ‘where’ was irrelevant.

‘It was supposed to be temporary,’ I reminded him. ‘Just until your dad was back on his feet and then…’

I froze as I realised we’d never really talked about what would come next.

Our old jobs would already have been refilled by now.

I sucked in a deep breath.

We’d start again. Find something else. Somewhere else. At least it wouldn’t be here.

Yet something gnawed in the pit of my stomach.

What if he wanted to stay?

I picked up my cup of tea, hugging it to me, drawing comfort from its warmth.

‘Maybe Mum was right,’ Ryan said quietly. ‘We’re from two different worlds.’

‘That doesn’t matter,’ I replied. ‘It’s our future that counts.’

‘We want different things.’

I blinked, confused. ‘Since when?’

‘You’ve always wanted to keep moving. To see more. Keep travelling. You said this was just the start.’

‘You did too,’ I reminded him. ‘We already started looking at where to go after Malta – France, maybe Italy. We have plans.’

Ryan shook his head. ‘I have this.’ He lifted his hand, motioning to the land around us. ‘Here.’

‘For now,’ I said softly.

His head snapped back and he stared at me, his eyes wide. ‘I can’t leave them.’

‘Okay,’ I said quickly.

Perhaps I’d been rushing him. His dad was only just easing back into things. Of course Ryan was worried about leaving him too soon. ‘You’re needed here right now. But once your dad’s stronger⁠—’

‘I can’t leave them,’ he repeated, his voice firm. Final.

I set down my cup of tea, afraid that I would drop it, as the full meaning of his words sank in.

Ryan ran a hand through his hair. ‘Maybe it was a mistake,’ he said slowly, as if the idea was still forming in his head.