Handcuffed Heiress

33. It gets more complicated

33. It gets more complicated

Niko
I woke up the next morning feeling happier than I've ever felt. But I knew before I opened my eyes that something was off. I reached for her but felt cold, empty sheet. I jerked upwards and looked around. She wasn't here. I quickly put on some clothes and went in search of her.

"You've slept rather late. It's not like you."

"Good morning, padre. Where's Kaitlyn?"

"She left early this morning," he said not missing a beat.

"She went back to the hotel so early?"

"No. She left for London."

"What?"

"She left this for you." He handed me an envelope. I took it. Inside was the bracelet I had given her, and a letter. My high spirits immediately plummeted.

Niko,
I'm not going to apologize for leaving. There can never be anything between us. Last night wasn't a mistake. Don't think that it was. It is not the reason for me leaving either. I'm going to try and sort out my feelings. You should do the same. It's impossible to ask you to forget about it. So I won't waste my breath. I've already taken the first step in letting go of these feelings. I've been using the bracelet to hold on. I'm not going to anymore. Therefore, I am returning it to you. Don't come after me. Please don't make it harder for either of us.
- Kait

What the hell kind to letter is this? I crushed the paper up in my palm. "What's that all about?" She knew she was going to leave before she kissed me and slept in my bed. "If I was to take a guess, I'd say she slept with you and then ran away."

"It isn't like that."

"Denial gets you nowhere, my boy. I told you two I wouldn't get involved. You're on your own. Whatever you're thinking of doing, think about how Kaitlyn must feel."

She's only ever been honest with me here in Rome. That's what she's running from. She's afraid to explore how she really feels.

"She isn't coming back, is she?"

"I don't think she will if you're here." I ran my fingers through my hair. This is frustrating. Once I go back to London I know the other Kaitlyn will resurface. The one she is with him.

"What do I do?"

"What do you want to do? A woman is not going to give up sure for unsure. She has her sure with him. With you nothing is certain. She's not going to leave him for you. He'll have to be the one to leave her."

"He's not right for her. Their relationship is surviving because she thinks she owes it to him."

"What's wrong with that? He was there at a vulnerable point. It's only natural that she wants to keep him around."

"It's not healthy!"

"Just forget about her, Niko. I can't have tension between you two. I love you both. Kaitlyn might be struggling with what she feels and knows no other way to handle it. You're better at letting go. You should let go."

"I can't."

"There will be other women, Niko."

"Not for me."

"This is like Natalía and Marc all over again."

"What?"

"Nothing. Don't you think it's time you officially met the family? Every time I bring it up you put it off." That's true. I never saw the need. We lived in different time zones. "If her parents approve then you might stand a chance."