From that night on, Emily and Ryan kept things strictly professional at work—polite smiles, short conversations, and a clear focus on meetings and deadlines. To everyone else, they were just a capable boss and an efficient team member. But behind the scenes, everything was different.
In private, their bond deepened. They met every other day, sneaking off after work to Ryan's place or a quiet hotel where they could be alone. Away from the office, they let their guards down and simply held on to each other. Their time together was stolen but intense—filled with soft words, long kisses, and a closeness neither of them had expected.
Emily tried to focus on the present, on the warmth of Ryan's touch, the way he looked at her when no one else was around, and the quiet comfort of their stolen nights. But no matter how much she tried to stay in the moment, a quiet fear tugged at her thoughts. What if someone at work noticed? What if a careless glance or word gave them away? And worse, what if all of this meant more to her than it did to him?
She couldn't shake the feeling that she was just nothing more than a temporary escape for Ryan, a brief chapter he would one day leave behind without a second thought. The idea sat heavy in her chest. While she had given him pieces of her heart she hadn't shared with anyone else, she wasn't sure if he was doing the same. The fear of being exposed or forgotten never fully left her, no matter how close he held her at night.
One day, as Emily walked past the break room, she overheard a conversation that made her stop cold. A few colleagues were whispering excitedly. "Did you hear? Director Ryan is getting engaged," one said. The words hit her like a punch. Her heart clenched, breath caught, and she stood frozen as the sentence echoed in her head. If Ryan had a fiancée… then what was she to him? Just a mistake? A passing fling? Her stomach turned. Gripping her coffee cup, she quickly walked away, unable to hear another word.
That day, Emily ignored all of Ryan's messages and buried herself in work, trying to block out the storm of emotions inside her. But she couldn't stop picturing him at an altar, smiling at someone else. The thought crushed her. Deep down, she had always known their relationship was fragile—built on secrets and stolen time. But the rumor made it feel real, and she couldn't face him.
That evening, as rain poured down, Emily spotted Ryan's car waiting outside. He stepped out, rain soaking his coat, and said, "Get in. I'll take you home." His voice was calm but firm. Emily paused, heart racing, but the look in his eyes said everything. She got in, closing the door softly behind her.
As soon as they were on the road, Ryan turned to her, his expression serious. "Why have you been avoiding me? We need to talk," he said, his tone leaving no room for evasion. Emily took a deep breath, her hands clenched in her lap. She knew she couldn't avoid this conversation any longer. "I heard you have a fiancée," she said, her voice steady despite the ache in her chest. "We should stop seeing each other."
Ryan's grip tightened on the steering wheel, his jaw clenching as he processed her words. After a long silence, he sighed and asked, "Who told you I have a fiancée?"
"I heard it from some colleagues," Emily replied, her gaze fixed on the rain-streaked window. She couldn't bring herself to look at him, afraid of what she might see in his eyes.
Ryan frowned slightly, his voice calm but tinged with frustration. "I did go on a blind date, but it was just to maintain a good business relationship. I haven't agreed to any engagement."
Emily lowered her gaze, her heart filled with conflicting emotions. She wanted to believe him, to trust that what they had was real, but the doubt gnawed at her. "But why would you even consider a marriage for business reasons? Shouldn't you marry someone you love?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ryan's expression softened, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "To be honest, at this stage in my life, I don't expect to find love. My focus has always been on my career," he admitted, his words heavy with resignation.
Emily's chest tightened at his words. She hadn't expected him to say it so plainly. Maybe deep down she had always known Ryan wasn't looking for love, that his life had no space for it. But she knew she had fallen anyway, still clung to hope. Now the truth hit hard, and tears stung her eyes.
Ryan looked at her with concern, his voice gentle. "Did I say something to upset you?"
Emily gave a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. "No. It's just… I think we should stop," she said, her voice shaking. She didn't want to be just another task in his busy life. She wanted something more—something he couldn't give. And as much as it hurt, she knew she had to let go before she lost herself.
"What?" Ryan's face tightened, brows drawing together as he turned to her. His grip on the steering wheel clenched so hard his knuckles went white. Outside, the rain poured harder, filling the silence between them. Emily took a shaky breath, heart racing, and met his eyes.
"I mean our relationship… whatever this is. It should stop," she said, each word heavy and hard to say. She'd gone over this moment in her head so many times, but now that it was real, it hurt more than she expected.
"Why?" Ryan asked, his voice low, strained. His eyes searched hers, but she wasn't sure how to explain it all. Still, she knew she had to be honest.
"Because it's not going anywhere," she said softly. "And I don't want to keep wondering what I mean to you." She looked down at her hands, twisting in her lap. "I want someone who's sure, someone who can say he wants to be with me. Not someone who treats love like an afterthought."
Ryan went quiet, his jaw tight as he stared ahead. The rain on the windshield blurred the glow of the streetlights. Emily could see the tension in his eyes, the way his shoulders stiffened like he was holding something back. She took a deep breath, pushing herself to finish.
"I don't blame you, and I don't regret what we had," she said, steadying her voice. "But I want to move on. I want someone I can build a real future with, someone I can date, fall in love with, maybe even marry." Her words lingered in the air, heavy with finality.
Ryan's grip on the wheel tightened. "So that's it? You're just leaving?" he asked, his voice low and strained. Emily felt a lump in her throat but nodded. "I think it's for the best," she whispered, barely louder than the rain.
Ryan stayed quiet for a while, staring out the windshield. Then he finally spoke, his voice softer. "Then… can I ask for one last thing?" he said, turning to look at her.
Emily hesitated, a little guarded. "What is it?" she asked, her heart skipping.
"Before we go our separate ways, I want one last date with you. A real one," he said, his tone calm but full of something vulnerable. His eyes held hers, and for a moment, she saw past the polished image to the man who once made her feel truly seen. It was a risky request, and she knew she should say no. But the memories were too strong.
"…Okay. One last time," she said softly.
The words felt like both a goodbye and a quiet wish. Ryan nodded, and something unspoken passed between them. Emily knew it would only make letting go harder, but for one night, she would let herself believe in what might have been.