The Billionaire's Bet

Chapter 58 : Forgive me

Give me a chance to pick up the pieces of  what I shattered. Give me a chance to fix whatever has been broken, to love you again...

Evanly

How had life been for me so far? After everything that had happened, how was I holding up? Was I happy with how things turned out?

No.

Every day felt like a relentless cycle. Work was my refuge, my escape. The patients I cared for were my priority, a distraction from the hollow ache gnawing at me. Benjamin had been my anchor through it all. We were close—maybe too close. His presence was warm and comforting, a reminder that someone understood me. But even with him by my side, even with Darria slowly warming to me despite the resentment she carried for her brother's fall, there was still a gaping void in my chest.

It was him. Devon.

His name lingered like a ghost, haunting my thoughts at every turn. Was I wrong for what I did? Were my actions justified? Did I do the right thing by walking away?

I didn’t know. What I did know was that Devon was the first man who ever truly saw me. Not just the parts I showed the world, but all of me—the messy, broken, unlovable parts. He paid attention to every small detail, cared for me in ways no one ever had. He loved me fiercely, vulnerably. With him, I felt safe, cherished. I felt like I mattered.

And I fell for him. Hard.

But he lied. He shattered that trust with a cruel, selfish game—a stupid bet that made a mockery of my love. I gave him everything: my heart, my body, my soul. He broke me.

So why couldn’t I let go? Why did I still love him with a force that made my chest ache?

As I stepped out of the hospital after my night shift, Benjamin was waiting for me in the parking lot. His face lit up when he saw me, but his smile quickly faded as he noticed the heaviness in my expression.

He met me halfway, his hands reaching for mine. "Evanly, what's wrong? Are you okay?" His voice was soft, his thumbs brushing over my knuckles.

I forced a laugh, trying to mask the storm brewing inside me. "I’m fine, Ben. Just exhausted. The patients were difficult today."

He tilted his head, his gaze piercing through my facade. "Don’t lie to me. I know you too well for that. What’s really going on?"

I hesitated, then sighed. "I’ve been thinking about him again." The admission felt like a betrayal, even though I knew Benjamin deserved the truth. "Devon."

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then, with a measured calm, he asked, "After all this time? Evanly, it’s been years. Haven’t you moved on?"

"I thought I had," I whispered. "But he still sends me gifts every Valentine’s Day, every birthday, every Christmas. And it—damn it, Ben—it keeps pulling me back."

Benjamin’s expression hardened, but his voice was gentle. "Do you really want to go back to that? After everything he did?"

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Because deep down, I didn’t know what I wanted.

The ride home was silent, save for the occasional hum of the engine. Benjamin dropped me off with a lingering hug and a kiss on my forehead. "Don’t lose sleep over him, okay?"

"I’ll try," I lied.

The apartment felt emptier than ever. I showered, hoping the water would wash away the weight pressing on my chest. But as I climbed into bed, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

I groaned, reaching for it. "Ben, we just talked—"

But it wasn’t Ben. It was him.

Devon.

I froze, my heart pounding in my ears. His name flashed on the screen like a taunt, daring me to answer. My hand trembled as I swiped to accept the call.

"Hello?" My voice was barely a whisper.

"Evanly," he said, his voice as rich and smooth as I remembered. His Italian accent wrapped around my name like a caress. "It’s me."

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. "Why are you calling me, Devon? After all these years, what could you possibly want?"

There was a pause, and when he spoke again, his voice cracked. "I needed to hear your voice. I know I don’t deserve it, but, God, Evanly, it’s been killing me. Every day without you—it’s unbearable."

"Devon..." I began, but he cut me off.

"Let me finish," he pleaded. "I know I fucked up. I made the biggest mistake of my life, and I’ve been paying for it every single day since. I lost the only woman I’ve ever loved, and I can’t live with that. I need you, Evanly. I need us."

His words were raw, desperate, laced with a vulnerability that shattered my resolve. Tears welled in my eyes as the memories flooded back—the way he used to look at me, the way his arms felt around me. But I couldn’t forget the pain he caused.

"You don’t get to just show up and say these things, Devon," I snapped, my voice trembling. "You don’t get to break me and then expect me to forgive you."

"I know," he said quietly. "But I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if I have to. Just... give me a chance to prove that I can be the man you deserve."

My breath hitched. His sincerity was undeniable, but so was my fear. "Devon, I—" I broke off, unable to finish the thought.

"Please, Amorina," he said, using the pet name he’d given me. "One chance. That’s all I’m asking for."

I closed my eyes, my heart warring with my head. Finally, I whispered, "One chance, Devon. But if you screw this up, I’m done. Forever."

"You won’t regret this," he vowed, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, Evanly."

As the call ended, I stared at the darkened screen, my heart pounding. Had I just made the biggest mistake of my life—or had I just taken the first step toward healing?

~To be continued...~