Chapter 449 The Word That Hurt
Rose had to admit that Trevor’s message left her feeling conflicted.
Years ago, she had chosen him because she needed Ariel to remain completely hidden from the outside world.
Although Dr. Nathan had been the one who raised Ariel for the most part, Trevor had also treated her well over the years.
She couldn’t deny that.
But now he’d come all the way to her building.
Rose understood what that meant.
Trevor might still harbor resentment toward her.
But the bond between two people was never fixed. Feelings changed with circumstances. The closer people once were could gradually become distant, and what had once felt important could eventually become nothing more than a memory.
There had never really been a future between them to begin with.
Her phone buzzed again.
Trevor: [I brought Ariel a gift. I do it every year, and this year is no different. I’ll wait for you.]
Rose instinctively glanced toward the living room.
Ariel was sitting between Morgan and Gabriel.
The little girl had apparently appointed herself the household caretaker.
She was kneeling on her chair, her cheeks rosy and her eyes bright as she poured water, refilled their tea, and carefully tucked a blanket around their legs.
She was taking her responsibilities very seriously.
Rose smiled faintly.
She quietly slipped on her coat and headed for the door.
She didn’t want to disturb Ariel.
Besides, she couldn’t exactly leave Trevor waiting outside forever.
There were some things the two of them needed to discuss privately.
When Rose stepped outside, snow was falling.
Trevor was standing beside his car.
The moment he saw her, the stillness in his eyes broke, replaced by a brief flicker of relief.
He straightened and swallowed.
“Rose.”
His voice was quiet.
“You’re still willing to see me.”
Rose pulled her coat tighter around herself.
“It’s New Year’s Eve. You should head home early.”
Trevor looked at her.
A trace of self-mockery appeared in his eyes.
“I really did lose my head.”
He gave a bitter laugh.
“After I found out Ryan knew Ariel was his daughter, I was terrified he’d try to get back together with you. I was afraid you’d change your mind.”
His voice grew quieter.
“So...”
So, he had chosen to use Ariel as leverage.
Even though he knew Rose didn’t want to marry him, he had tried to force the issue.
He had thought marriage would keep her by his side.
Instead, it had pushed her farther away.
“Trevor, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Rose looked at him calmly.
“I’m grateful for everything you did for me in the past—the help with work, the connections, all of it.”
She paused.
“If you ever need something from me, just ask.”
“Is that all?”
Trevor’s throat tightened.
His voice was hoarse.
Rose nodded.
“We were never really at that point to begin with.”
She smiled faintly.
“Your feelings for me... maybe you never liked me enough to believe I was the only person for you. Maybe there were other reasons. Maybe part of it was wanting to win.”
Trevor went still.
The word win seemed to strike a nerve.
“You really don’t believe my feelings are genuine?”
Rose shook her head.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Her tone remained straightforward.
“I don’t want to waste my energy trying to figure out what someone else feels, and I don’t want my own feelings held hostage by someone else’s affection.”
She looked at him.
“Love has to go both ways.”
Rose’s expression softened slightly.
“Ever since I first understood what romantic feelings were, I’ve been through a relationship that nearly broke me. I’m twenty-eight now.”
She smiled.
“I’m not that girl anymore—the one who thought love was the most important thing in the world.”
Her gaze was calm.
“From now on, I want to focus on myself.”
She couldn’t deny it.
Her relationship with Ryan had exhausted her.
The thought of starting another relationship made her tired before it had even begun.
She simply didn’t have the heart for it anymore.
Trevor said nothing.
But something seemed to crack behind his eyes.
He looked at her for a long time.
“Rose.”
His voice was low.
“If I told you that I fell in love with you a long time ago... would that change anything?”
Rose’s lips tightened.
“No matter what you think of me, I wouldn’t suddenly take those feelings back just because things didn’t work out.”
His gaze deepened.
“My feelings for you aren’t something I can pick up whenever I want and throw away whenever I don’t.”
Rose was about to answer.
Then she heard footsteps.
Not hurried.
Not slow.
Steady.
Each step landed in the snow with a crisp crunch.
A familiar voice followed.
“When Mr. Robinson gets fixated on something, he can be quite difficult to deal with.”
Rose turned sharply.
Her eyes widened.
She hadn’t noticed anyone approaching.
Ryan was standing not far away.
He wore a black overcoat that made his already lean frame look even more slender. The cold night had drained some color from his face, leaving his features looking unusually pale.
He walked toward them, one measured step at a time.
Trevor’s expression hardened.
“Why are you here?”
Ryan looked at him without emotion.
“Rose’s mother invited me to spend New Year’s Eve with them.”
His gaze shifted briefly toward Rose.
“What? Did Mr. Robinson receive an invitation too?”
Trevor pressed his lips together.
Rose instinctively looked up toward the apartment.
At some point, Morgan must have exchanged contact information with Ryan.
She didn’t know about their divorce or the state of their relationship.
As far as she knew, Ryan was still her son-in-law.
Of course she would invite him.
Trevor didn’t seem interested in arguing with Ryan.
He reached into his car and retrieved the gifts he’d brought.
“Rose, these are for Ariel.”
He handed them to her.
“A gift for her. Please give it to her.”
Then he looked at Rose.
“I’ll come see you again after the New Year.”
Ryan didn’t stop him.
Rose couldn’t exactly refuse the gifts either.
Trevor had been a part of Ariel’s life for years.
Whatever had happened between the adults, these were for Ariel.
She accepted them.
“Go home early.”
Trevor gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment.
Rose turned toward the building.
She didn’t say goodbye to Ryan.
She simply walked away.
Ryan watched Trevor for a moment before speaking.
“If you’re planning to use your past relationship with Rose to manipulate her—slowly working your way back into her life and waiting for her to get used to having you around—save yourself the effort.”
Trevor turned.
Ryan’s expression was cold.
“Once Rose makes up her mind, she’s not easily swayed.”
He paused.
“As far as she’s concerned, you’ve already used up the trust and opportunities she gave you.”
Trevor’s lips curved.
“Ryan, you loved her to death once too.”
His smile held a trace of mockery.
“But that’s in the past now. How are you any different from me?”
Ryan fell silent.
For a moment, he simply looked at him.
Then he turned back with a faint smile.
“There is a difference.”
Trevor’s expression changed.
Ryan’s voice was calm.
“We have a daughter.”
He paused.
“She’ll be part of both our lives for the rest of our lives.”
*****
Rose had barely stepped into the elevator when Ryan followed her inside.
By now, she had come to terms with everything between them.
She could treat him like any other acquaintance.
At least, that was what she told herself.
“What did you two talk about?”
“I told him to take his time driving home.”
Ryan answered casually.
Rose glanced at him.
He was surprisingly polite.
Then again...
“My mom doesn’t know about us.”
Ryan kept his eyes on the elevator doors.
“You could have just told her you were busy with work.”
“It’s rare for someone to care about me.”
His tone was almost leisurely.
“So why would I turn down a New Year’s Eve dinner?”
Rose looked at him.
“Is one dinner really that important to you?”
Didn’t the Knight family have good food?
Ryan glanced at her.
“Just think of it as me missing Ariel.”
Rose’s expression shifted.
She immediately remembered that he was leaving for France.
A father and daughter probably should have a proper goodbye.
“I heard you’re going to France.”
She hesitated.
“How long will you be gone?”
Ryan lowered his gaze.
“What?”
His voice was calm.
“Are you going to miss me?”
Rose froze.
She had asked the question before she could stop herself.
The elevator chimed.
The doors opened.
Rose instinctively stepped forward.
Then she stopped.
Ariel was standing on a small step stool just outside the apartment, carefully adjusting the holiday decorations around the doorway.
She turned around.
“Mom, you—”
Her eyes landed on Ryan.
The little girl’s cheeks puffed out.
Then, in a clear, bright voice, she called, “Uncle.”
Rose had always known Ariel was clever.
She also knew her daughter could hold a grudge.
Sure enough, Ariel knew perfectly well that Ryan was her biological father.
Yet she stubbornly refused to call him Dad.
Just one word.
“Uncle.”
Ryan’s expression didn’t change.
But something in his eyes went still.
The word had landed harder than it should have.