Mirabelle’s POV:
I didn’t even know how I ended up parked in front of Ken’s house. One minute, I was driving through the city, lost in my thoughts, and the next, I was in front of his house.
I hadn’t intended to come here. I really hadn’t. But my hands, as if on their own, had turned the wheel, driven down familiar streets, and pulled into the parking lot. It was almost like I had been here a hundred times before, even though it was a first.
My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the building. I hadn’t planned on seeing him. But here I was, unable to stop myself from climbing the stairs of the building, my legs moving with a mind of their own, and before I could even process what I was doing, I found myself standing in front of his door.
I didn’t even have to look at the address; I knew it by heart. I’d made sure of that when Noah and I returned from abroad. I’d done my research on Ken, just in case. Just in case there was something I needed to know.
That’s how I knew his address.
Before I could think, I raised my hand and knocked.
The door swung open almost immediately. He stared back at me in utter surprise. His expression shifted between shock and something unreadable-but it didn’t matter.
“Mirabelle!” He called out. He stepped back, clearly startled, but still, there was a hint of warmth in his eyes. “What are you doing here?”
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Was I here to talk business? To settle something? I couldn’t form the words, the reason why I had come. For all my planning, my thinking, none of it made sense in the moment.
He studied me for a second, then, with a slight smile, he stepped aside, holding the door open wider. “Come on in.” He said.
He led me to the kitchen, pulling out a chair and gesturing for me to sit opposite him at the counter.
I took a seat, not sure what I was doing or what I was supposed to say. He watched me closely, but I couldn’t read him. Maybe I didn’t want to.
“So.” he said, breaking the silence. “What brings you here, Mira? This isn’t about business, is it?”
I still didn’t know how to answer him.
He handed me a drink, and for a few moments, we just sat in silence. It was nice, in a way-peaceful. But it didn’t last long.
“So, how are things with Noah?” His voice broke out.
I stiffened, the drink in my hand suddenly felt heavy. “It’s fine,” I muttered, avoiding his gaze.
He raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. “Come on, Mirabelle. I’ve seen that look before. You’re clearly not fine.”
“I don’t want to talk about it, Ken,” I snapped. “I’m tired. It’s been a long day.”
He leaned back in his chair. “You know, I never understood why you are still putting up with him.”
My heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?” I asked, trying to hold back my anger.
“You’re too soft on him. You should not let him back in, you should toss him out of your life just like you did to me when I hurt you.” He replied. “And me? You can keep using me like a ‘convenience’ when you’re upset, you can always come to me.”
His words stung, more than I cared to admit. But I wasn’t about to let him insult me-or Noah. “I’m not doing this with you, Ken. You’re the last person I need advice from right now.”
“Then why are you here?” He chuckled bitterly. “Do you think Noah’s advice is so much more helpful. Do you really think you’re going to get a different outcome by putting up with him? We were born by the same man, Mira. We are bound to do the same thing to our women.”
My eyes narrowed. “You don’t get to criticize me, Ken. Not after everything.”
He leaned forward, his face hardening. “I’m not criticizing you, Mirabelle. I’m just telling you the truth. Maybe it’s time you face it-he’s not going to change. He’ll keep doing the same thing. And you’ll keep going back to him, because that’s just who you are.”
I shot to my feet, his words had hit me harder than I expected. “You don’t get to tell me who I am, Ken,” I said, my voice shaking. “You’ve hurt me enough. And you’re not going to keep trying to manipulate me into thinking that what I’m doing is wrong.”
Ken stood as well. “I’m not manipulating you, Mirabelle. I’m trying to save you from yourself.”
I shook my head, my heart pounding. “You don’t get it, do you? You’re still stuck on this idea that we’re supposed to be something. You’ve never let go of me, but I did. I moved on.”
“Did you?” He questioned. “Because it doesn’t look like you’ve moved on from me. It doesn’t look like you’re ready to leave me, no matter how much you say you are.”
I took a step back, the walls closing in around me. “You don’t know what’s going on with me, Ken. So don’t pretend like you do.”
His voice hardened. “You can’t even see it. You’re so blind to what you are doing to yourself. And I’m supposed to sit back and watch?”
I inhaled sharply. “You don’t get a say anymore,” I snapped. “You’re not in my life like you used to be. And I’m not going to sit here and listen to you lecture me about Noah when you’re the one who walked away from me first. So don’t tell me how to fix things.”
Ken stood motionless for a moment, then exhaled slowly. “I’m not telling you how to fix things, Mirabelle. I’m telling you that you deserve better.”
“And you just happen to be the better option?” I clapped back.
Shaking his head. “No I am just someone who knows better. I now know your worth and I will be willing to love you better. If you give me a chance.” He pleaded.
“I don’t need you, Ken” I said, my voice quieter now, though I was still angry. “I can figure this out on my own.”
Ken’s eyes softened, just a little. “I’ll always be here if you need someone to talk to.” He said, scratching the back of his head.
“I don’t know what I need right now.” I whispered. “But I can’t keep doing this. Not with you. Not with him.”