Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 17 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 17

Chapter 7 

Chapter 7 

Howard took me around to meet the team. 

Coffee and croissants on the table. White roses in a vase. A little welcome setup. 

A designer named Emma pulled me into a hug. 

“We’ve seen your work. That ‘Tidal’ collection? Absolutely gorgeous.” 

I froze. 

“That was three years ago.” 

Back when Brendan was drowning in startup mode. I’d chase down clients for him all day, then stay up designing all 

night. 

That collection won me a New Designer Award. 

Brendan promised he’d be there for the ceremony. 

Then he got a work call right before we left. 

So I stood on that stage alone. 

The host asked, “Who would you like to thank tonight?” 

I held that trophy tight. “My fiancé.” 

But he wasn’t in the audience. 

When I got home, I put the award on our bookshelf. 

Brendan barely glanced at it. “Cool. Just don’t block my files.” 

After that, I stopped talking about my work. 

Until today. When someone actually remembered. 

My throat got tight. 

Emma smiled. “You okay?” 

Mr. Chatterbox for Her, Mr. Iceberg for Me? Ice Melts, and So Did My Love! 

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Chapter 7 

“Yeah. Just… been a while since anyone said that.” 

By the time I got back to the hotel, it was dark. 

Under the streetlight by the entrance-Brendan. 

Same wrinkled suit. Tie loose. Eyes bloodshot. 

He saw me and practically ran over. 

“Lily!” 

Reached out to pull me close. 

I stepped back. 

His hands froze mid-air. Raw hurt flashed across his face. 

Before, I would’ve caved. 

Now? I just looked at him calmly. 

“What are you doing here?” 

His throat worked. “I came to bring you home.” 

I laughed. “Brendan. We broke up.” 

“I didn’t agree to that.” Desperate now. “You can’t just leave.” 

“Does it matter if you agreed?” 

His face went pale. 

“Look-I know you’re pissed. I know I’ve been ignoring you. But Tina and I-there’s nothing there. She just… reminds me of you. How you used to be.” 

I blinked. 

He grabbed onto that, words spilling faster. 

“She’s new, nervous, needs help. And when she smiles? Exactly like you at eighteen. That’s why I’ve been nice to her. Because she reminds me of you.” 

“Lily, you’re the one I love.” 

Chapter 7 

I let him finish. 

Then asked quietly, “So what?” 

He stared. 

I stepped closer, voice low and steady. 

“So you left me home alone while you took care of someone who ‘reminds you of me.”” 

“Forgot my cramps but got her tea and heating pads.” 

“Forgot my birthday but showed up for hers.” 

“Gave her the bag I wanted.” 

I looked him dead in the eye. 

“Don’t you think that’s pathetic?” 

His lips trembled. “It’s not-” 

“Then what is it?” 

I pulled out my phone. Opened my photos. 

Not our pictures-I’d deleted those. 

What was left? Screenshots. 

Tina’s Instagram posts. Her comments on his stuff. Concert tickets with the purchase date. That photo from his passenger seat with his ring in frame. 

Our text threads. All of them. 

I held the screen up. 

“This isn’t me being dramatic. This is evidence. Proof you pushed me away piece by piece.” 

All color drained from his face. 

I locked the screen. 

“Pain can be measured, Brendan. I measured it for three months.” 

“Seventeen broken promises. Eleven times you blew me off. Eight times you ditched me for Tina. On my birthday? 

and So Did My Love! 

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Chapter 7 

Thirteen hours waiting.” 

“Add it up. It’s exactly enough to leave.” 

His eyes went red. 

Voice barely a whisper. “I’m sorry. Lily… I know I screwed up.” 

My chest tightened. Twenty years doesn’t just disappear. 

But pain doesn’t mean going back. 

“Apology accepted,” I said evenly. “But I’m not forgiving you.” 

Panic crossed his face. 

“Don’t. Is this about the bag? I’ll buy it right now. Just wait-I’ll get the exact one-” 

I frowned. “Brendan. You still don’t get it.” 

But he wasn’t listening. 

Turned and started running toward the street. 

“Just wait! I swear I’ll remember this time!” 

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