Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 19 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 19

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Chapter 9 

Chapter 9 

A month passed. My life stabilized. 

Long-term apartment. New sheets, dishes, candles. Two hydrangeas on the balcony. 

I started learning French. Pronunciation was awful. Coworkers roasted me daily. 

But I was happy. 

The kind that lived in small moments. Morning coffee. Sunset walks. Not waiting for someone who kept forgetting I existed. 

The studio landed a major project-Paris bridal expo. Howard put me on the main showcase piece. 

“Lily.” He leaned back in his chair. “Do your thing. Forget the market. Forget playing safe. Just make what you gotta say.” 

I thought about it for days. 

Called it Echo. 

Nine years of shouting into the void. Waiting that led nowhere. Loving someone who never turned around. 

I layered the skirt in waves-like your voice bouncing off canyon walls, finally coming back to you. 

The neckline wasn’t some romantic heart shape. Just a clean, straight cut, 

This wasn’t about being loved. 

This was about standing alone. 

Finishing day. Whole studio went quiet. 

Emma broke the silence with applause. “Holy shit. That’s beautiful.” 

Howard looked at me. “This is gonna make your career.” 

Expo day. Echo took center stage. Lights hit it just right-fabric spilled like water. 

People crowded around it. Cameras everywhere. 

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Chapter 9 

Some journalist shoved a mic in my face. “What’s this piece about?” 

I looked straight at the camera. 

“It’s about hearing yourself for the first time in a while. We spend so long waiting for someone else to answer us. Turns out? The most important person who needs to answer is you.” 

Messages flooded my phone after. 

Sarah sent screenshots. Design blogs back home were posting my work. 

Comments piled up: 

This dress has POWER 

Not some damsel waiting-a woman walking out on her own terms 

And she’s stunning too wow 

Saved them all. Couldn’t stop smiling. 

That night, team went out for drinks. I had half a glass of champagne. Howard raised his. 

“Lily. You’re gonna go places.” 

Clinked glasses. “Thanks for believing in me.’ 

Got back to my building around midnight. Brendan was standing outside. 

Second time he’d shown up in Paris. 

Last time I’d ever see him. 

He looked like hell. Thinner. Hair a mess. Stubble everywhere. That cocky energy he used to have? Completely gone. 

Saw me and just stood there. 

“Lily.” 

My stomach dropped. “How’d you even find me?” 

He wouldn’t meet my eyes. “Asked around till someone told me.” 

Ice in my voice now. “That’s called stalking, Brendan.” 

“I’m not-” Panic mode. “I’m not trying to freak you out. I just needed to see you. That’s it. Then I’m gone.” 

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

15.5% 

Chapter 9 

Didn’t say anything. 

He pulled out a box from behind his back. 

That bag. The one from months ago. 

Brand new. Wrapped perfectly. 

His hands were shaking. 

“Got it for you. Hit up like ten stores. The one you wanted was sold out everywhere, so I tracked down resellers, called managers-Lily, I remembered this time.” 

I stared at that box. 

Months ago? Would’ve meant everything. 

Not the bag itself. Just proof that I mattered. That he listened. 

Now? Couldn’t care less. 

“Bit late for that.” 

His eyes went red. “I know. I know it’s late. But can we try again? Twenty years we’ve known each other. Nine years together. Three months engaged. You really gonna throw all that away?” 

I held his gaze. “You think leaving didn’t destroy me?” 

He froze. 

“Sitting at the airport,” I said quietly, “I thought about turning back. Thought about you at seven, standing up for me. At eighteen, asking me out. At twenty-five, proposing. Every single memory hurt like hell. But here’s the thing, Brendan-pain doesn’t mean I’m coming back. It just means I actually loved you.” 

Tears started falling. 

Never seen him cry like this, 

“I fucked up. I know I did. Tina’s gone. Company took a hit. I don’t give a shit about any of it. I just want you.” 

Shook my head. “You’re still missing the point. I didn’t leave to punish Tina. Didn’t leave to watch you suffer. I left because I was finally done hurting myself.” 

Voice cracking now. “Then I’ll change. Whatever you need. I swear-” 

“You can change all you want,” I cut him off. “But that’s your business now. Not mine.” 

lesberg for Me? Ice Melts, and So Did My Love! 

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Chapter 9 

He actually stumbled back like I’d slapped him. 

“Brendan, I gave you chances. So many. Every time I said something. Every time I went quiet. Every time I said ‘it’s fine. Those were all chances. You just never gave a damn.” 

“I’m done handing them out.” 

The box dropped to his side. 

Long silence. 

“What about the ring?” 

His voice barely there. 

“You’re really not taking it back?” 

That engagement ring sitting in his desk drawer. Once wore it and dreamed about our wedding. Growing old together. 

Then it turned into a bad joke. 

“Nope. Ring’s yours. Past is yours. From here on out? I’m just mine.” 

He stood there in the rain. Completely hollowed out. 

I turned toward the door. 

Didn’t look back. 

Elevator doors started closing. Heard him yell. 

“LILY!” 

Voice totally shattered. 

Just hit the button. 

Doors slid shut. 

Left him-and everything we were-on the other side. 

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