Page 27 of Royal Compromise
As I hang up the phone, I turn to Aria, my heart heavy with regret. “I’m sorry, I can’t stay this weekend, I have to head back to the city as soon as I drop you off,” I tell her, my voice barely above a whisper.
Aria’s eyes widen with fear, her lips parting in a silent gasp. “What’s wrong?” she asks, her voice trembling with worry.
“There’s been an emergency at work,” I explain, my words rushing as I gather my things. “I have to go back and sort it out.”
Aria’s face pales at my words, the color draining from her cheeks as she processes the news. “But what about us?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
I reach out to take her hand in mine, squeezing it gently as I meet her gaze. “I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can,” I assure her, my voice filled with sincerity. “We can plan a weekend together once things are sorted out.”
As we pull into Aria’s driveway, she shakes her head, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she tries to put on a brave face. “I can’t believe this is happening again,” she says softly, her voice filled with resignation. I walk her to her door and without looking at me she says, “Just...go.” She walks inside and quietly shuts the door before I can reply.
With one last lingering look, I turn and make my way back to my car, the weight of the world heavy on my shoulders as I rush to face whatever awaits me at the office. But as I drive away, leaving Aria behind, I make up my mind to find a way to get back to her because I know I’m leaving more than just my heart behind. I’m leaving everything behind.
Chapter thirteen
ARIA
As he hangs up the phone, a wave of anxiety washes over me, tightening my chest and leaving me breathless. Cade’s solemn expression tells me everything I need to know before he even speaks. “I’m sorry, I can’t stay this weekend, I have to head back as soon as I drop you of,” he murmurs, his voice barely audible.
My heart lurches at his words, a sense of dread settling over me like a heavy blanket. “What’s wrong?” I manage to choke out, my voice trembling with worry.
Cade’s gaze meets mine, filled with regret and determination. “There’s been an emergency at work,” he explains, his movements hurried as he gathered his belongings. “I have to go back and sort it out.”
My stomach churns as the reality of the situation sinks in, the color draining from my face. “But what about us?” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath. Tears fill my eyes and are rolling down my cheeks before I can stop them.
As we pull into my driveway, I put on a brave face. “I can’t believe this is happening again,” I say as he walks me to her door. I know I can’t stay out here and discuss this further. He is going to choose his career over me just like last time, and without looking back I murmur, “Just…go.” I shut the door behind me not giving him a chance to reply.
***
A few days have passed, and Cade video calls me from his apartment in the city. I watch Cade’s eyes, filled with pain, fixated on my melancholy face. A pang of guilt twists in my chest. I can sense his desperation and his fear of losing me, but I can’t ignore the pull of my roots, anchoring me to this small town I call home.
“Aria, please,” his voice trembles, pleading with me and begging me to reconsider. “I can’t bear the thought of life without you. We can make it work together in the city. Just come here and give it a chance.”
My heart aches at his words and at the raw vulnerability in his voice. I know he means every word he says, but the thought of leaving everything behind—the familiar streets, the comforting routines—is too much to bear.
Tears blur my vision as I struggle to find the right words to convey the depth of my conflicting emotions. “Cade, you know I love you,” I whisper, my voice barely above a hoarse murmur. “But this town, it’s where I belong. I can’t abandon everything for the unknown.”
His frustration boils over, his words tinged with desperation. “But I can’t leave here,” he insists, his voice tinged with frustration. “My dreams, my business—they are in this city. As the CEO, I need to be here.”
I meet his gaze, defiance burning in my eyes. “And what about me?” I challenge, my voice trembling with pent-up anger. “What about my dreams and my aspirations? Don’t they matter too?”
As I watch him through the screen, the intensity of the moment weighs heavily on me. “Aria, please,” he implores, urgency lacing his voice. “Consider what relocating to the city could do for your bakery. You’d have access to a broader customer base, better suppliers, and countless opportunities for expansion.”
Listening to his arguments, I can’t help but feel torn. “I understand your perspective, Cade.” I respond calmly, though my guard remains up. “But my bakery is flourishing here in Sweet Haven. I have loyal customers, a solid reputation, and a sense of belonging that I cherish.”
His enthusiasm is palpable as he continues to advocate for the move. “But think about all of the possibilities,” he persists, his plea echoing in the air. “With your talent and dedication, your bakery could reach new heights. You could become renowned throughout the city—even beyond.”
I manage a small smile, though sadness tugs at my heartstrings. “I appreciate your optimism, Cade,” I say softly. “But my heart is here, in this community. This is where I belong, where I’ve always belonged.”
His disappointment is evident as he grapples with my decision. “But what about us, Aria?” he whispers, his voice barely audible. “What about the plans we made about building a life together?”
I take his hand in mine. “I haven’t forgotten, Cade,” I assure him sincerely. “And we can have them if you’ll just come back.”
His uncertainty hangs heavy in the air as he voices his concerns. “I don’t know if I can do this,” he confesses, vulnerability seeping into his words. “If I leave, my company will suffer.”
Tears glisten in my eyes as I meet his gaze, a sense of longing mingling with acceptance. “I don’t want you to come out of obligation,” I murmur softly. “I want you to be with me because you choose to, because you believe in what we share.”
I can see as he grapples with his inner turmoil as the silence hangs heavy between us. The weight of our unspoken truths fills the room. In that moment, I see the pain etched on Cade’s face and the realization dawning on him that our paths may diverge despite our love.