Chapter Thirty-Two

Never Let Me Go

So this is where you are

And this is where I am

Somewhere between unsure

And a hundred

Chuck leaned on the doorknob, coldly staring at empty hall outside. After lingering for few moments spent in disbelieving, uncertain silence, his friends got the gist, and quickly filed out one by one. He was actually kicking them out.

They left without a single word, without a parting glance. The information still not completely processed, or even comprehended, and the dust far from settling down. Only Nate loitered for few extra moments, as if he wanted to say something - anything - but he seemed to change his mind, leaving with a single pat on his best friend's shoulder.

They knew. That meant by tomorrow morning, everyone at Constance would know, heck half of Manhattan would know.

Music still blared loudly, and Chuck turned it off with frustrated slam on the button.

"Fuck," He cursed and bounded down the stairs, in search for her.

The scene in the lobby sent another wave of shock. Chuck stared at his father, at Blair, and at her own father.

"Blair," Bart acknowledged her with deep baritone voice, eyes flashing lightnings at Bob. He never hid his animosity towards these people, heavily indebted to him. They met each other in court, in police station, never anywhere normal.

Blair stood between them, still clutching to that damn trashcan, frozen in place.

She looked at him and the fear in her eyes shook Chuck out of the stupor. He climbed down the remaining few stairs, joining Bart.

"Father," He quickly greeted, forcing a casual tone. Despite the fact that his father hadn't spoken to him in months, unless you count detached e-mails regarding business. Despite the fact that he hadn't bothered to call or ask where his son had been living since Chuck moved out. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"How does this man know you?" Blair's father spat loudly, clearly seething with anger. And that unreasonable anger, anger unfit for a human, was directed at Blair. It was partly his fault.

Blair stood speechless, looking lost.

He couldn't leave just yet. She had always downplayed her dad's obsession, crediting it down to over-prospectiveness. But if he learned anything since staying there, it was that Blair was good at shielding people she loved, even people that constantly hurt her. Chuck was one of those people and right now, was hurting her with his presence, adding fuel to her dad's fury.

Thankfully, Chuck caught the sight of Blair's mother coming up to them, the woman he couldn't stand, now seemed like a beacon of light. He knew she was the only one he could count on to soothe the situation out now. Because Chuck was only capable of making it worse. If he got involved now, Blair's father would take it the wrong way. Every connection to him could cost her.

Instead he turned towards his own father, "Care for a drink?" He asked, forcing himself to look careless of the apparent situation.

"Let's go upstairs."

He met Blair's eyes and for some reason, her face crumbled down.

Bart looked at this spectacle with patronizing sneer. He followed his son to an elevator, sporting menacing grimace. Chuck's body was on fire. It was ever since Blair showed up at his doors today, and the scorching heat only seemed to get worse. Now his father knew too. Except, Bart was awfully quiet. He didn't look surprised, nor shocked, nor mortified. He looked… smug.

"Party gone wrong?" He asked, eying an abandoned champagne bottle and the sticky floor of his apartment.

"Why are you here?" Chuck cut to the chase, poured his father a glass of scotch, all pretenses dropped.

Bart accepted the glass, sauntering around the living room, beady eyes scrutinizing every inch of the suite. "I can't come to visit my son anymore?"

"Anymore?" Chuck repeated under his breath, clenching his jaw. "That implies the action was done in the past. Which wasn't. Not even once."

"You're right," Breathed out his father, shrugging his shoulders. "I came purely on business. Our associate, George Sparks is on a brink of death. He was found on one of the yachts, he suffered a heavy brain stroke. He's in a coma as we speak, vegetating."

"What?" He blurted out, remembering the collected man sitting in office of his hotel, proudly showing a picture of his family. "Georgina's dad?"

"Yes, I came to tell you we'll have to change our game soon. They don't think he's going to make it. The hotel Millennium will fall in someone else's hands, and since new Tropic is days away from opening, we'll have to be alert."

Chuck set his untouched glass of scotch on the coffee table. The news was devastating, but all of this could have been done over phone, or through one of his secretaries.

"That's not why you came here," He stiffly said, straightening up. "You knew about Blair."

It took a while for Bart to say anything. Small hint of cruel smile danced on his tight lips and finally he met his son's eyes. "Of course I damn well knew." He coldly spat, downing the rest of his drink. "Do you think I'd let my only son, my Heir, start a relationship with someone I know nothing about? I did a background check on her, a long, long time ago."

His father chuckled darkly, fixing cufflinks of his expensive suit. Chuck was speechless. His father knew? And he hadn't said anything?

"You," He choked out, always affected by his father's cruelty, despite suffering it for years.

"You pranced around with that girl like a love-sick fool, not even caring about endangering our reputation, tarnishing our name. Chopper rides, fancy dinners, expensive jewelery. I'm not even going to mention that ring that cost as much as this apartment. You took zero precautions to preserve what I build up for years. I've always told you that you are a fool, and here's my proof of that."

"And you still keep proving me right." He went on, his hand hovering above knob, declaring his visit was done. "Instead of going away to Morocco or Thailand for few weeks to get yourself together, you holed up yourself here, pinning after the maid's daughter like an idiot. It's pathetic."

"I hate you." Chuck grit through his teeth, making his father pause for a nanosecond.

"Buy a nice funeral suit," His father added, not turning around. ''I want you to stick close to Georgina. If Sparks dies, she gets everything. We need her.''

Chuck exhaled a deep breath after Bart left. He slammed his glass against the wall. His father knew about Blair. Just like his mother, perhaps long before she did. And he didn't say anything, just to prove a fucking point.

And with this, Chuck was proven a point too. That everyone was a monster. Everyone. Even his very own family. You couldn't trust anyone. No wonder he was this fucked up.

He grabbed a coat, needing some fresh air and time to think. Just as he went out the elevator, voices could be heard from basement, from a small flat where Blair lived.

"I said get over here!" Her dad yelled like crazy. "How do you know that family?! What are you doing behind my back?! How do you know them, fucking talk already!"

"No!" Blair's mother screamed and Chuck froze. ''Don't touch her!''

There was a loud crash, someone's sob and that's when Chuck realized he just might be able to do one good thing. One good thing that nobody needed to know about. One good thing that would have nobody indebted to him. Especially not her.

Chuck swore under his breath and went back in the elevator, repeatedly pressing the button to his penthouse, willing it to go faster. When he finally stormed into his flat, he buzzed Blair's apartment through machine that directly connected to housekeeper's.

'"Yes?" There was the breathless voice of Bob on the other side.

"Can you please come upstairs?'' Chuck willed himself to calm down, to sound bored with a note of authority.

''I-.''

''Now."

There was a moment of silence. Chuck thought he heard someone crying in the background.

''Yes, Sir.''

In the morning, Blair opened up a bottle of concealer. She flinched as the beige cream came in contact with the wound on the lower lip. The blood on it thickened, leaving a nasty gash. The apartment was empty and she slowly put on her coat, taking her sweet time.

She walked outside. The air was crisp, a tinge of smoke in the air. Red leaves crunched under her feet, but she did not notice it. It seemed her mind went blank.

But in that silent movie, in that white picture, was a limo - waiting.

She knew he was in there, watching her behind tinted windows. She could feel his eyes trailing her. Blair inhaled deeply and started walking towards bus stop. Sure enough, a sound of doors being slammed and hasty footsteps echoed behind.

"Blair!" Chuck called out and she lowered down her head. "Stop!"

She kept on walking, clutching her bag.

"Blair, I told you to stop!"

He finally caught up and Chuck's face fell as he saw the state of her bottom lip. Cold wind rustled the leaves on the ground, carrying them farther down the street.

"Does it look good on me?" She asked bitterly, feeling a lump in her throat start to grow, hating his fascination with it. She felt like a zoo animal. His parents never probably hit him, violence was something upper class thought barbaric, primitive. "Doesn't it bring out my eyes?"

"He hit you," Chuck murmured, as if he didn't believe what he was seeing. His eyes snapped to hers. "Has he done it before?"

Many times, she wanted to say. He cared now? He pretended to care after setting her up yesterday? Now that the damage was done, he felt sorry for her? No, she didn't want his pity.

Blair merely threw him a disdainful glance and spat, ''None of your business.''

"Hey, c'mon," Serena kissed his cheek as she rushed to class, the bell just about to signal the start of it. ''You'll be late.''

"Uh, go ahead," Nate said, shutting off with his phone. ''I'll catch up.''

Chuck just texted him: Don't leave her alone today.

He would do anything for his best friend, but where the hell was he? Nate had no problem being Blair's guardian today, but that was something Chuck needed to do. Because he needed to be there for her. Because Nate knew he still loved her. And she needed to see that.

"Blair," Serena guessed, biting her lower lip. Nate wondered if she felt guilty about what happened yesterday? "Where's Chuck?"

"I honestly don't know."

She looked at him with knotted eyebrows and Nate could feel the rift growing between them. Serena hadn't come to his place last night, and he knew she resented him for keeping this secret away from her. The trust they build up over the summer had had it's foundations shook, but she needed to understand he couldn't tell her.

Serena left just as Blair entered the courtyard. Nate's eyes widened in surprise, shocked that she had even attempted to come today, despite everything.

"We'll walk in together." She announced as their eyes locked, her face impassive. "You'll tell me not to pay attention to mean comments. You'll sit next to me during lunch. You'll try to make awkward small talk."

He just smiled at her, because it was true. And he didn't care what others thought of it.

"There's no need," She added brusquely.

"Look, Blair," Nate exhaled loudly. "I really don't know why you lied, and that's why I can't understand you, but... I do want to be standing by your side today. I really do."

Blair looked at him with slight gratitude, but the emotion was quickly covered with veil of impatient indifference. "I didn't come here to face them. I came here to face myself."

Because that's what Ed said, she needed to grow into her reality.

It will be a hard journey, but it will be true.

Blair offered him a small smile to let him know the gesture was appreciated, and she went in alone.

The whispers, the laughs, the clicking of the phones. Everyone knew. And those who didn't, became familiar with the story in an instant.

They threw pieces of croissants at her, left empty cups of coffee and other trash for her to throw away. Where was Georgina in all of this? Blair would have thought she'd be taking the front-seat row at this showdown, but all the main actors were gone, leaving her to face the crowds, alone.

"Cinderella", They snickered as she passed through the crowded hall. "Iron my clothes!", "Clean the chimney!", "Where's my breakfast?"

And still, Blair held her chin up. As she entered the classroom, previous bored murmured turned to enthusiastic chatter, filled with cruel laughter and finger pointing. She had wanted to be like them, and now she was paying the price. She calmly sat in the first row of tables, getting textbook out of the purse.

One of the boys got up from the crowded group, sporting a smirk, and he lifted the projector screen from the board. There was a drawing on the board. A girl in ball gown and crown on her head holding broom in her hands. Underneath was her name. Blair.

The laughter shook the ground. At that moment, Serena walked in the classroom. The chattering group waved her over, but she ignored them and sat next to Blair. Blair watched her warily, intensely aware that she wasn't even taking this class.

''How are you?'' Serena asked, green orbs meeting brown.

Blair started to gather her textbooks and leave, but Serena's hand held her down. Her green eyes were intense, boring into her.

"I actually understand you," She quietly said, her long slender fingers curled around Blair's wrist. "For holding unto Chuck so tightly. I get you now. I understand your reasons, I really do."

Blair looked at Serena bafflingly not just because she didn't lash out or mock, but because she was taking everything the wrong way. Blair wasn't with Chuck for money. But why should she explain herself? As if Serena, her long-time nemesis that now looked at her with pity, could ever really understand. As if anyone could understand.

Serena got up and walked over to the board, erasing the drawing. There was a collective groan of disappointment and Blair stared at her, surprised. Blond girl left just as professor came in, the chattering group dispersed, each of the students returned to their seat.

After class, Blair was still hung up on Serena's words. She walked through halls, now almost used to whispers that followed her. Someone threw a piece of paper at her head, though thankfully it missed.

"Blair!" A voice called out. She steeled herself, ready for any insult that would come her way.

Anthony came up to her and she rolled her eyes. He was smirking, his hands stuffed in pockets. ''Listen, gorgeous,'' He boasted, leaning slightly towards her. "Wrong choice, wrong strategy."

"What are you talking about?" She asked warily.

"Look, I may not be as rich as Bass, but if you picked me, I would make sure we had a good time." He winked. "Less fights, more sex."

''What the fuck?'' Blair froze at the sound of his voice. Next thing she knew, Chuck's fist had connected with Anthony's nose, sending him flying to the wall.

''I will fucking kill you!'' He snarled as he repeatedly threw deadly punches at the guy's face. Students recoiled taking a step back from the mess, none stopped watching though. A few of the lacrosse players came to aid, including Nate, trying to separate them, but Chuck went crazy.

Blair looked around. Everyone stared at her with accusing eyes.

''Slut,'' Someone called out.

They all thought she was a gold-digger. A whore. Someone that tried to tame the great Chuck Bass and failed spectacularly. They thought she was a joke. A disgrace.

Blair quickly turned around and entered the first empty restroom, her mind raving. If only she never lied, they probably wouldn't care she was a housekeeper's daughter. Nobody would even care about her. She'd be invisible, a nobody. Was this so much worse than that?

Doors swung open again and by the smell of cologne, Blair knew it was Chuck. Her eyes remained fixed on the mirror, staring at herself.

There was a moment of silence, filled only with his labored breathing. Unlike him, she kept her breath.

"I didn't set you up yesterday," He quietly said, moving to stand beside her. If she moved her hand a bit farther away, she could touch his blazer. Something in her stomach moved and twisted at their proximity, something that made detaching herself from him impossible and unwanted.

"I don't care." Blair leaned off the sink to get past him and leave.

"But I do." He pulled her back by the elbow, staring down on her. His onyx eyes were intense, his face completely unharmed despite the fistfight he just threw. The only sign of it were his messy hair and bruised, bloodied knuckles, smearing her sleeve. He hastily retreated his hand.

"And I don't." Blair lied firmly, finally meeting his gaze.

Because she did care, despite wanting to remove herself from him. She felt as if a burden was lifted off her chest when he admitted it. Because it meant he didn't want to hurt her, it meant he didn't want to act upon his revenge. It meant that maybe, just maybe, he was starting to forgive her.

Her heart fluttered at his confession, but as if he could read her mind, he coldly stated, "Don't think this means anything."

When Blair got home that evening, she was greeted with somber atmosphere.

"Mr. Sparks died." Dan explained as he got out of the shower, drying his dark locks with a towel. "We get to go to a funeral tomorrow."

Mr. Sparks died? Oh, God. No wonder Georgina wasn't in school. She just lost her last parent. Georgina officially had no one, excluding her step-mother. Blair couldn't but feel a pang of pain for her childhood friend. Whatever had happened between them was shoved to the back of her mind, and she felt the urge to visit Georgina. But would it do her any good?

She looked up to her mother for reassurance and advice, but Jane stared blankly ahead, as if someone close to her died, rather than just someone who lived in the same building as her.

Jessica skipped on the funeral and went shopping instead.

"What?" She had drawled lazily, picking up her purse. "It's not as if I knew the guy."

The service was short, but straightforward - just as Mr. Sparks would have liked it. There was a large crowd of expensive suits, the Manhattan elite come to say goodbye to a friend, a rival.

They were sorry that he died, but secretly glad a mean competitor was of the way. Diana weeped loudly, as they lowered his coffin in the ground, but Georgina didn't share a hint of emotion. She simply stared at the wooden casket blankly, as if it was anything but her father's eternal resting place.

Blair felt sorry for her. She couldn't imagine what it felt like to go through such death. Nobody deserved to lose both of their parents, especially not at the young age of nineteen. Not even Georgina.

Jane sniffled and Blair looked at her tears, leaking down her wrinkled cheeks.

"Are you okay," She whispered, rubbing her back, but Jane didn't meet her gaze.

Out of the corner of her eye, far away from the masses, and hidden behind old oak trees, was Edward Morelli. He too was dressed in black, but kept distance from the rest of the crowd. What was he doing here? She wasn't aware he knew Mr. Sparks.

His face seemed serious, too serious. His eyes , usually bright and cheery, held something sinister in them. Blair shivered as he glanced at her, that sinister glint evaporating. Something inside her itched to go to him, to ask him if everything was okay. Her gut told her that something really bad happened. Something terrible. She was just about to take a step.

"What's he doing here?" Dan bitterly hissed to his dad, stopping her.

Blair looked up to find Chuck Bass piercingly staring at her. There might have been a sea of black and tears between them, but it didn't stop her heart from leaping. He looked away, hardening his jaw, gluing his eyes to the casket in front.

After the service, people dispersed and only selected few went to home of Sparks for traditional mourning, with champagne and caviar servings. Of course Blair's family wasn't invited. What would the housekeeper and his children do with the prominent business people, and socialites of New York City?

Blair stood alone in front of the tombstone, her heart heavy and full of dread. George Sparks was as old as her own mother. They had exactly the same number of years in their sleeves. Why had he died? Who decided that he should go, instead of her mother? What was stopping that someone from pulling up Jane's number too?

The thought was chilling. Wind picked up the pace and she shivered, turning to go home. When she entered the lobby later, she was still carrying that shadow of that gloom with her.

It was when she saw Chuck exit the elevator. Noticing her, he seemed to change his direction, moving towards her, glorious in the dark suit that fit him like a glove.

"What happened?" He asked as he took in her face, eyebrow quirked. "Shaken by the death of your fake father?"

Blair jutted her chin out, not wanting to dignify him with an answer. Chuck stood in her way, his eyes staring down on her.

"Quit it." She spat, clenching her fists. "No need to force yourself anymore. We've passed the point where you're able to hurt me."

He had her by the waist when she tried to leave, pulling her back to him. Suddenly, Chuck did something that stopped her heart. He cupped her cheeks in his hands, bringing her face closer to his, forcing her to meet his burning eyes.

She thought she would die right then and there.

"Do you even know what means to be hurt?" He whispered forcefully. The heart resumed it's beating, more forceful and now it felt like it would break out of her rib-cage. Blair gulped, staring back at his gaze that held so many secrets, so many memories, so many emotions. Ground once again shook under her feet, her knees buckling.

Didn't she know? Her heart was sore, but she had always been a fighter.

He was doubting her? Doubting her feelings, her emotions? How dare he? Blair wasn't made of steel, but he sure as hell treated her as such.

His eyes roamed over her face, pausing at her lips.

With trembling hands, Blair put her fingers on his wrists, intent on pushing him away. His skin was on fire under hers, but her hands wouldn't cooperate. They lingered, her perpetually cold fingers pressing into him. She wondered how could someone so warm act so cold?

Too soon, he dropped his hands away as if burned. They stared at each other warily, in stupefied wonder, as if what happened now what stronger than them. As if it was something they couldn't control.

Blair was first to leave. She stormed out of the lobby, gasping for fresh air. He didn't follow.

Blair found herself coming to the harbor. She felt terrible about what happened with Ed. Seeing him at the funeral raised so many questions and she remembered how much she missed him, despite what happened between them.

"You're looking for Mr. Morelli?" A safeguard on duty called out as he recognized her. "Are you Blair?"

"Yes, I am."

"Mr. Morelli sold his boat." He informed, grabbing a handsome envelope out of his pocket. "He instructed me to give you this before leaving."

Gaping, Blair impatiently opened the envelope. Inside was a piece of paper with hotel name and a room number. She stuffed it back inside and went home, glad that the hotel was in Manhattan. At least he hadn't really gone away. Not yet, at least.

"Your mom found your ring!" Shouted Jessica when she arrived back home. "Look!"

Blair quickly snatched the ring out of her manicured fingers, inspecting it. It really was her ruby ring! Her heart warmed, overwhelmed by mellow and bitter feeling. "Where was it?" She demanded, looking for Jane.

"I think she said it was under your bed," Jessica shrugged.

Blair nodded, not really caring where it was, all that mattered was that she had it back. She went to her room, clutching the ring safely in her fist. Suddenly, a lump formed in her throat and she felt like crying. Because Blair needed to give this ring back. It wasn't hers anymore. It was a token of affection, an affection she didn't have any right to anymore.

An affection that was now long gone.

Don't take this the wrong way, his voice rang clear.

Don't think that I did it because I still love you, was what he meant. Because he obviously didn't love her anymore. Blair put the ring on her finger, shiver passing through her body as she remembered everything they had gone through. Everything that was now in the past.

She didn't want to let go of it, of their past, of the golden days. So Blair lay down on bed and drowned herself in happy memories. She daydreamed of hazy summer days, sloppy kisses, hospital visits, Manhattan view from the sky. All the way back to beginning, the apprehension as she first saw him, wearing Ray Bans and nursing a hangover. The feeling she didn't think meant anything when their eyes first met. The subtle glances that followed, intentional 'accidental' touches, yearning, burning longing and first blooms of love.

But that love had crumbled and now they were left with bitterness.

Midnight struck and she finally rose from bed, making sure everyone was sleep, especially Jessica in the living room on the couch. Dan wouldn't be home in another half an hour. She took off the ring, and went upstairs.

Chuck was already waiting for her on the stairs. And there was a piece of paper clutched in his hands. She recognized it instantly. His eyes were stormy, burning into her. Chuck held her letter, blotchy ink visible on thin strip. He had read it, all of her sentiments were exposed to him. She took a deep breath and approached him.

"When did you write this?" He demanded, lifting up the letter.

Did it matter when? How could it? No, her confession was useless now, just a piece of paper with her tears and pent up pain. Just something that lost meaning and purpose, a bad reminder of her shame and guilt. Her chest painfully tightened. "A long time ago." She brushed him off.

"When?" He raised his voice, eyes flashing.

Blair gulped, playing with ring in her fingers. Just then, she saw someone across Chuck's shoulders, making his way to them. "Dan-"

Chuck looked over and swore under his breath. She turned around to go back home, but he pulled her with him to the elevator. "You're coming with me."

Those words sent her heart into a frenzy, too surprised to protest. Blair wrenched herself away from him, startled by his insistence. The ride to his floor was long, filled with suffocating silence and sidelong glances. His collected cool was gone, and there was a violent emotion simmering under.

"What are you doing?" She shrieked as the elevator opened and he secured his hold on her once again.

"I'm not letting you go until we talk."

Once he closed the doors behind them, and flicked the lock, certain she was in his apartment and unable to escape, he released his hold on her.

"Why didn't I get to read this before my mother did?" He motioned towards letter, clenching his jaw.

A wave of mixed feelings rose as she remembered words she spilled within that letter. Shame. Love. Guilt. Evelyn had given it to him? Evelyn kept it, after all these months? Blair was sure she had thrown it away. She hoped so at least. Nevertheless, she was secretly glad he was talking to his mother again. It meant he was slowly letting go of his grudge against other people. "Does it matter? Would anything be different?"

He took a deep breath, looking away from her.

"I explained everything there, does it change anything now?"

"I asked you a question," He shouted angrily, taking a step towards her. "Why didn't I read this?"

"Don't yell at me." She shouted back and her bottom lip throbbed as the wound slightly reopened with movement. "I wrote that letter and I wanted it to give it to you. I accidentally left it in your bedroom after, after we…" She couldn't help blush creeping up her cheeks as she remembered the night she lost her virginity to him. The passion, the love, the sense of safety.

"Your mom found it and read it," She quickly finished. ''That's it.''

Chuck merely closed his eyes and shook his head, "You've ruined us."

Somehow, his words stung her. His resigned voice was like a slap. He was admitting the defeat? He was admitting whatever they had was over? Was he giving up on whatever they had?

''I'm pretty sure you've finished us off when you tried to blackmail me into having sex with you.'' She fired back, ignoring the growing lump in her throat. Her heart was ripping to shreds as she took his palm and with great mental effort, dropped the ruby ring in his hand, giving it up for good.

Giving up the symbol of his love.

''Oh, don't give me that look'' Evelyn airily noted as she breezed into his apartment. ''If you answered your phone for once, I wouldn't have come.''

Chuck shrugged on his navy blazer. Last time mother came for a visit, courtesy of Nate Archibald - damn he really needed to find some new friends - was the time she had brought the letter.

You need to give her up, she had said to him and walked away.

And now she was back, eying the sticky floor with a deep frown. ''Charles, this place is a mess. How about hiring a maid?''

''Because that worked out so the last time,'' He murmured dryly, thinking of Blair's mother. ''I'm going out.''

''Have a nice day.'' She gently called out after him, not perturbed by his rude coldness and short replies. At least he was talking to her. Evelyn waited until Chuck left, then she proceeded to take off her Jimmy Choo heels and elegant wool coat. ''I guess I'll have to take care of this myself. What on the Earth is this stain?''

Evelyn daintily picked up the used glasses from the table and placed them in the dishwasher. She took the dirty shirts carelessly thrown on the kitchen chairs and went to his bedroom to put it in hamper. Her eyes spotted the letter, sitting atop messy bed sheets.

The cursed letter that had stolen her son away. A weapon of his pain.

Why did he keep it? She hastily took it and went to throw it away, but on the bottom of the trashcan, among couple of small pieces of crumpled notes was a ruby ring. A custom made ruby ring that was a worthy rival of any diamond. With trembling fingers, Evelyn put away the letter and picked up the expensive glorious jewelery piece. She called up Tiffany and made an appointment.

Chuck obviously didn't want this ring, but the trash was last place where it belonged. It was an insult to her friends at Tiffany's. Evelyn would do the right thing and return it, finally getting rid of every reminder that he was ever involved with that girl.

A/N: Thaaaaaaaank you for all the amazing reviews, you guys are so good to me *wipes a tear* The response is overwhelming! Like WOW what did I ever do to deserve this?! To deserve you?! *blows you a kiss*

I just wanted to let you know if you ever want to get a snippet of my life, I'll leave my instagram(tolstojeva) here for you. Some have asked so if you wanna get in touch or something.