The room fell silent, the light-hearted atmosphere shattered by his icy tone. In a single sentence, James stripped away the romantic illusion Lila had carefully built around their time together.
It was his business trip, but Lila had believed it to be something more—a couple's getaway, perhaps even a prelude to a honeymoon. When she'd asked to join him, he had agreed without protest.
She thought it meant he wanted her there. He'd even made time for her: strolling through Milan, indulging her request to visit cafes, and treating her to dinner and shopping amidst his packed schedule. He had even suggested visiting Rome.
Those weren't just dates—they had shared late-night talks, laughter, and deep conversations. On some nights, they'd stayed up so long that they ended up lying side by side. She had hugged him from behind, and he hadn't pulled away. Did none of it mean anything to him? Was it all just a business trip in his eyes?