Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 126

After dropping Vivienne off at her apartment, Tyler found himself wandering the city alone.

The city lights blurred past his car window, and a complicated mix of emotions churned in his chest.

Streetlamps glowed dully, traffic flowed endlessly, and the countless lit-up windows of Alden City seemed to belong to everyone but him.

His phone buzzed.

Tyler glanced at the screen—Owen was calling.

"What's up?" he answered.

"Come out for a drink?" Owen's voice came through, a little too cheerful. "I'm at Prism Ivy House. Want to join? Or are you staying in with your new lady?"

Owen had been Tyler's friend since childhood—a bond forged over years of shared trouble and laughter.

Tyler hesitated only a moment before nodding to the driver to turn the car around.

"Sure," he replied.

The Bentley slid through the city toward Prism Ivy House, the largest nightclub in Alden City.

The place was a riot of noise and color, packed with people. Tyler made his way through the crush and finally reached Owen's private lounge.

He barely stepped inside before frowning. The room was packed—Owen must've decided to throw a party tonight, inviting half the city along for the ride.

"Tyler! You made it!" Owen called, half stumbling over with arms outstretched, already tipsy.

Tyler sighed and let Owen lead him deeper into the room.

"Everyone, listen up!" Owen announced, voice booming. "This is my oldest friend, Tyler—now the CEO of the Erickson Group! Let's give him a hand!"

The crowd erupted in cheers. Tyler was well-known in Alden City; faces turned his way, eyes bright with curiosity.

All he felt was the headache of too much noise.

He motioned for the crowd to clear out, signaling that he wanted some privacy.

Owen didn't seem to mind, waving everyone off with a good-natured grin until it was just the two of them left.

"Right, I get it, Mr. Erickson," Owen drawled. "Maybe I should be more like you. When we were kids, it was always just you and Emilia. And now, it's just you and Vivienne."

A flicker of annoyance stirred in Tyler, and he waved Owen off before he could pour any more.

But Owen only seemed more animated.

"What, you mad?" Owen grinned. "I'm complimenting you, honestly."

"I envy you, man." Owen set his glass aside and leaned back, his voice softening.

"You've got the brains to take your family's company and make it even bigger than anyone imagined."

"And as for love? Emilia was crazy about you, would've done anything for you—maybe even died for you."

"Even now, with Vivienne, from what I've seen online, she seems like a genuinely good person."

"But me…"

In the dim light, whatever expression Owen wore was lost to the shadows.