When regret came, I was already gone novel

Chapter 8 Louie's POV When I looked at Lindsay's tear - streaked face , I snapped , frustrated , " I was just messing around with you . Can you stop clinging to me already ? " My words made her cry even harder . As she sobbed , she started hitting my chest with her fists . " That's not what you said before . You said you liked me . " } " Cut it out already ! You're driving me crazy ! " I barked . " I was just unwilling to spend my whole life sleeping with only Tamara .

I was never going to marry you . And let's be real - you threw yourself at me . What , did you think I'd say no to free fun ? " } I said it like it was the most natural thing in the world . Lindsay stared at me , completely stunned . For a moment , she even forgot to cry . " You're a damn jerk , Louie ! " she screamed , then slapped me hard across the face . Sobbing uncontrollably , she threw open the car door and ran off . } I lit a cigarette , irritated , watching her storm away .

Then I pulled out my phone and started calling everyone I could think of - Tamara's friends , coworkers , anyone who might know where she was . But no luck . One by one , they all said the same thing : they hadn't heard from her in days . } I smoked through an entire pack of cigarettes before finally deciding to go straight to Tamara's company . I had caused a scene there not long ago and had sworn I wouldn't show my face again - but now , pride didn't matter .

} When I got to the company , I didn't even make it through the front doors before a security guard stepped in to block me . Turned out , I was on their radar as someone to watch . " I just want to see my wife , " I said , trying to explain myself . I even took out a photo . " Look , this is her . She works here , right ? " } The guard glanced at the photo and said flatly , " Even if I let you in , it wouldn't matter . She hasn't been to the office in days .

" > Defeated , I dragged myself home , completely lost . " Where had she gone ? > I hated myself . When Tamara had loved me , I took that love for granted , hurt her again and again without a second thought . And now that she was gone , now that she had finally given up , I realized how much I needed her . } But it was too late . I retraced every place we used to go together - parks , cafés , restaurants - searching desperately . But she was nowhere to be found .

i kept calling her over and over , but every time , the answer was the same . " The number you've dialed is outside the service area . " } Tamara's POV I had come here alone to Europe . It took some time to get used to the lifestyle and culture . But seeing how the company Mr. Fowler had invested in was improving day by day , that sense of progress made the loneliness easier to bear . " Every morning , I showed up full of energy , juggling meetings and coordinating tasks .

I didn't think about Louie anymore . There simply wasn't time . } Even during baths , I was reading through pitch decks and strategy proposals . My schedule was packed from dawn to midnight . It was exhausting , sure , but the thought of financial freedom being within reach made every hour worth it . I felt empowered , driven , and alive . One month later , the European branch was beginning to take shape under my management . Mr. Fowler was pleased . Even his father , Mr.

Randolph Fowler , personally commended me . } Six months in , the project had built a strong reputation in the industry . My name was suddenly being mentioned by respected business leaders . I had already achieved half of my financial goals . One day , I casually heard some news from back home - people mentioned Louie . Apparently , after I left , he went into a frenzy trying to find me . He contacted every single one of my friends , begging them for information .

But they all knew how much I'd suffered in that relationship , so they kept my whereabouts a secret . No one told him anything . Still , somehow , he managed to find my address . One evening , as I stepped out of the office , completely unaware , I came face - to - face with Louie , waiting for me at the building's entrance .