Andrew stepped closer, slow, deliberate. "Do you even know him that well?"
"I'm getting to know him. I need that connection when it involves work.''
"You think that makes it better. Bella, I've been wanting to introduce you to most of my big investors all over the world, but you keep declining me, and now you are going on a date with a stranger just because of the connection that I can offer you within minutes?"
Bella crossed her arms, voice still steady. "We're not dating, Andrew. We don't do labels, remember?"
He laughed low, bitter. "You repeat that as it protects you."
"It protects both of us."
"No, Bella. It protects you. Because I've been here… waiting. Every time. While you walk in when it's convenient and leave when it's not."
Her face hardened. "You don't get to say that, Andrew. I never meant to make you feel replaceable. That's not fair."
"Isn't it?" he stepped in, close now. "You walk in here, wearing my clothes and sleeping in my bed. Let me touch you, as you belong to me. But you don't. Do you?"
"I never said I did," she whispered.
"And I never said I was okay with this." His voice cracked slightly. "With you showing up after a date and pretending it was just a sandwich."
Bella blinked. Her confidence wavered for half a second.
But she didn't back away.
Instead, she stepped forward. Pressed a hand to his chest. "I'm here now,w hmm.. To you, cause I really miss you. This week has been so busy that I haven't gotten to spend time with you. I really do miss your touch on my body."
Andrew caught her wrist. Gently. But firmly.
"That's not enough anymore."
Bella froze.
The air between them thinned.
He could smell the faint trace of Luke's cologne clinging to her coat.
"I didn't do anything wrong," she said, softer now.
"No," Andrew murmured. "You did exactly what you said you would."
He let go of her wrist.
Stepped back.
"I'm the one who messed up," he said coldly. "I started thinking this meant something."
Bella's breath caught. "Andrew…"
"Go home, Bella."
She blinked. "What?"
He didn't yell. He didn't scream.
He just meant it.
She opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't find words. Her chest rose slowly. Then fell. The quiet hurt more than any fight could have.
She nodded once.
Grabbed her coat and walked out the door.
The penthouse had never felt so empty.
And this time, she didn't look back.