Page 48 of My Rockstar Ex's Broken Vows

When she sets a mug in front of me and sits across from me on the other side of the coffee table, I can’t hold it in any longer. "Why’d you ghost me?"

Her mug stops halfway to her lips, and she looks at me like I just spoke a foreign language. "Ghost you? You're asking whyIghostedyou?"

"You left the studio last in a rush," I say, leaning forward. "And I haven't heard from you since. You've been ignoring my calls and my texts. I’m not letting it go this time. I needed to see you, to hear you say it to my face if you were done with me."

She lets out a sharp laugh, shaking her head. "That’s rich."

"What’s that supposed to mean?" I ask, frowning.

"It means you have a lot of nerve turning this around on me."

"I'm not turning anything around. I just want to know why you won't take my calls."

"This was never going to go anywhere, Callum. I was just trying to throw you away before you had the chance to do it to me again."

I blink dramatically. The words hit me like a slap. "What are you talking about?"

Her eyes narrow, and her tone hardens. "I’m talking about Finley. I saw the articles, Callum. The photos. ‘The next power couple in rock.’ You didn’t think that was worth mentioning? I get it, you don't owe me anything. But if you didn't know before, you know how much you wrecked me before. That was just shitty to do."

Realization dawns, and I exhale sharply. "You think—Sienna, no. That’s not?—"

"Oh, let me guess," she cuts in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "It’s all a big misunderstanding?"

"It is," I say, my voice firm. "You think I’d hide something like that from you? It didn’t even occur to me to warn you because it’s not real."

She arches a brow. Her expression is as sharp as her words. "Not real? Then, what is there to warn?"

"The whole thing is a PR move," I explain, leaning forward. "Pinnacle wanted to capitalize on the buzz, so they suggested we do a collab. The articles? The photos? It’s all just puff to hype the song."

Her eyes narrow further. "So you’re playing the long game? Because these articles have been popping up since last summer. Cut the bullshit."

I hesitate, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah, we spent time together last summer, but it never became anything. We both realized we weren’t into each other like that. But the buzz stuck, and the label wanted to use it."

She doesn’t say anything at first, just stares at me, her hazel eyes sharp and unrelenting, like she’s peeling back every layer of what I just said, looking for the truth. Finally, she exhales and sets her mug down with a clink. "I don’t know if I can do this, Callum."

"Do what?" I ask, my voice softer now.

"This," she says, gesturing between us. "You. Me. Whatever this is."

Her words are a punch I didn’t see coming. My jaw clenches, and for a second, I can’t respond. But then I lean forward, my elbows resting on my knees, my hands curling around the mug.

"I’m not giving up, Sienna. Not this time."

Sienna stares at me for a long moment. I can see her working through it, weighing every word I just said. When she finally speaks, her voice is quieter and less angry, but it still carries an edge. "So, let me get this straight. The articles, the photos, all of it—it’s just marketing? You expect me to believe that?"

"Yes," I say, my tone unwavering. "Because it’s the truth."

"It’s hard to ignore what I’ve seen. The way you two look in those photos... I don’t know, Callum. Is it that simple?"

Yes, I want to insist, to tell her itisthat simple, but I know her. She’s been burned before—by me, no less—and I can’t blame her for hesitating.

"You’re right," I say after a moment. "While the explanation is simple, and one hundred percent true, I know there is a lot more to it than just a few photos in the media. But Sienna, there’s nothing between Finley and me. Never was. And I should’ve told you sooner because I knew that was the plan, but it didn’t even cross my mind because it’s not real."

She exhales, her shoulders dropping slightly as she shakes her head. "I want to believe you," she says finally, her voice tinged with pain. Or maybe it’s fear. "But I have more than myself to think of now."

"I need space," she says finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I’ll give you all the space you need," I promise. "I want to show you I mean it."

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