<b>Chapter </b><b>551 </b>


    I must’ve been drunk. The breakup happened so fast, I barely had time to catch my breath.


    ‘Did I really just mistake that guy walking over for Ryan?‘ I thought, feeling a little ridiculous.


    I lowered my head and gave my hair a quick shake, forcing myself not to get lost in these feelings again.


    ‘What’s that saying again? Out with the old, in with the new.


    ‘No point clinging to one tree when there’s a whole forest out there,‘ I told myself, trying to cheer up.


    Some tall guy in a ck coat walked up beside me.


    A cool, pine scent drifted over on the breeze, strangely familiar.


    I turned to look, and through my blurry, drunken eyes, I saw a face that looked just like Ryan.


    “Victoria… have you been drinking?” a voice asked.


    I narrowed my eyes a bit, took a step back, and started to walk away.


    But he reached out and grabbed my arm. “Drinking like this in a bar? Do you have á death wish or something?”


    “Ryan, I don’t want to see you again!” I yelled at him, shoving him away with all my strength before I ran off into the bar.


    He just stood there in the hallway, frozen, noting after me at all.


    Back at my table, my coworkers all crowded around, asking me what happened. I grabbed a bottle of ice water and took a couple of sips.


    The guy outside really did look like Ryan. I gave a wry smile. ‘Looks like I’m not the only one stuck in the past,‘ I thought.


    “Ms. Murphy, that was your boyfriend, right…” One of my female coworkers sidled up to me with a teasing grin. “He came to pick you up.”


    I didn’t even turn around. I just said tly, “He’s not my boyfriend. You guys got the wrong person.”


    “But he really does look like him. Same build, and I saw him in a car once–he looks just like your guy.”


    I said vaguely, “Just ignore him. Let’s have another drink.”


    16:18 <b>Sun</b><b>, </b><b>7 </b><b>Sept </b>


    8.45%


    The lights in the bar dimmed for the next act–a little interactive show. A few young guys <i>on </i>stage, each with a rose in their mouth, jumped down and started dancing through the crowd, looking for someone to give their flower to.


    I watched as one of the guys headed our way, scanning the crowd for his target.


    A bunch of girls threw him hopeful nces, but he still hadn’t decided who <i>to </i>give it <i>to</i><i>. </i>


    For the first time ever, I actually wanted a rose from some guy I’d never met before.


    But I just didn’t have the nerve. I couldn’t stand up and show I was interested like those other girls–l just sat there quietly, keeping to myself.


    “Ms. Murphy, he’s staring right at you,” my coworker nudged me, trying to get me to stand up.


    But I was way too embarrassed to do anything. I just stayed frozen in my seat.


    The boy, blushing, walked over and handed me the rose


    I felt like I was in a dream, like everything was falling into ce. In disbelief, I reached out to take the


    flower.


    But just then, arge hand angrily snatched my hand away. The next moment, someone grabbed my coat and purse too.


    “She’s leaving now,” a man’s annoyed voice warned my giggling coworkers.


    They didn’t try to stop him–after all, everyone knew the guy dragging me away was my boyfriend.


    “Let go of me… Ryan…” Victoria snapped, angrily twisting and trying to break free.


    But he gripped me so hard, it felt like he might snap my arm any–second.


    “Ryan…” I gasped, my eyes burning red with pain.


    My legs shook as I staggered out of the bar, the cold air smacking me in the face.


    “Victoria, open your eyes and take a good look… I’m Edward,” a furious male voice barked over my


    head.


    Two strong hands grabbed my shoulders and shook me hard.


    The alcohol haze was shaken right out of me<b>, </b>and my mind snapped back to rity as my vision slowly came into focus.


    <b>2/3 </b>