Corrupted Chaos

by Shain Rose

“All the more reason for me to leave you.”

“You’re going to see the news in a few minutes. The country is breaking alliances with Albania. The world is going to feel the tsunami wave of chaos I just caused. I can’t be involved with you right now, Izzy.”

“You’re leaving me?”

“But I love you, Cade. And it’s more than I ever thought I could love again.”

“You think time is going to heal me from losing you? I can barely fucking breathe with what you’re telling me.”

“I’m leaving now, before I take you on your bed for doing something crazy like throwing something at me.”

He didn’t call, didn’t text, and didn’t even email. But every day, he sent roses. And the one and only message had come attached to them the first day. You get roses for the rest of your life, dollface. You deserve them for what I put you through.

Cade had left me. And nothing felt whole when he wasn’t there.

“Listen, you dick, you don’t want to be a part of my life, then stop meddling in it. I told you I loved you and you left me. That means that’s it. And stop sending me flowers. Technically, you’re sending them to my mom because all of them would be in the trash if it weren’t for her.”

“I need to go back to my apartment. I’m . . . I freaking miss you, and my heart is breaking, and I can’t do that here. I don’t want to break down in front of my family. It’s not fair to them.”

Fury flew through me at the thought that he’d taken that too. He’d taken my heart, the bracelet, and his love from me.

“They think they’re smart, but they’re so dumb. Just ignore them and do all the work here that you want. If they try to lock you out of your office, here’s my number. Cade’s being idiotic. He’ll be back.”

“I don’t want him back,”

“I personally think you should write coward on them. He’s being a baby and isn’t sure how to handle his love for you, but he’s been a complete dick, so it might be a good idea to write that on there.”

He’d made love to me the night after rescuing me. He’d told me I held the power, and I felt it.

Felt how it swallowed me up and consumed me.

“I don’t want you here. I don’t want to see your face. I don’t want to hear your voice. Or feel your goddamn presence. Or smell your fucking smell!”

“Get out.” “Izzy, I think I’m going to stay,”

“What would I be sorry for?”

all. I knew this wasn’t right. I hated how much I loved him. How much I always would. “I’m trying here, Cade. I’m moving on like you told me to.”

“I didn’t tell you that. I said to give it some time,” he murmured. “Yes. And we can all assume—” “Do you always assume things, Izzy? Because I never told you I hated you when we first met either, but you imagined that too.”

“You told me to move on.”

“But neither of us can.”

“Take it back right now, Cade Armanelli. I am moving on.” “Shit, baby.”

“You look more pissed than I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen you pretty mad. I’m trying not to be turned on, but don’t come near me or I’ll fold.”

“I’ll be nice if I have to, Izzy, but I can only take so much.”

“You’ll take whatever I want—even if it means Gerald and I getting back together—considering we’re not even dating.”

“We could go back to being enemies, and I still wouldn’t allow that shit. He’d be a dead man walking.”

It was me and the love of my life in that room. I wished to God that the damn ring he held between his teeth was from him to me.

“Cade don’t kill him. Please. I like my penthouse, and I don’t want the memory of him dying here.”

Go worry about that and forget my future wife exists. Forever.”

“He cheated on you. He hurt you. Do you not understand the consequences of when someone does that? No one is allowed to fuck with you but me, don’t you understand? You cried, Izzy. I had to see tears streaming down your face. For that, he’s lost his company, his savings, his whole career. And if he dares go near you again, he will lose his life.”

“Cade, you can’t do those types of things for me.”

“I can do whatever I want. I will always do that for you. You deserve it and more.”

“Don’t ever text him again. Matter of fact, I’ll be blocking him from all your devices. An ex texting my future wife is ridiculous anyway.”

“People can come visit me,

Cade. I’m single and not the future wife of anyone.”

“You’re fucking mine.”

“It’s not bullshit. You can’t leave and come back like I’m some mistress you call up every now and then. Maybe you were with other women, or maybe you got sick of me but want another taste now. It’s not happening.”

“Baby”—his forehead fell to mine—“you can’t believe that.”

“I was broken, and you left. You left me to handle i...

“And you did,” he growled out. “You had it in you. You needed to be without me.” “So you want me to be without you ...

“Look, I thought I would be okay with you being with someone else, just not Gerald, but then I knew that wouldn’t work. I know it’s selfish. I shouldn’t be here because I’ll always have a target on my back and you’ll always be in danger. But I flew around the world...

“Honestly, you’re still better off without me.”

“Don’t you dare say that again,”

“Baby doll, you know it’s true. Your world would be easier—" he started, but I’d had enough.

“Again, Harley Quinn, and make it hurt this time.”

One slap, two slaps, and probably ten more. Cade let me wail on him until I tired.

“I hate you. You’ve ruined me. You’ve ruined everything.” “Any more anger, dollface?”

“There’s something wrong with you. I really think you need help,”