Between chess moves

duced to shades of black, white, and maybe grey. It has always been like t

d-a black hole that drains the life from everything around me.

hing I hav

human,

normal,

e, I f

ed by, something that makes life worth living. Mine was the insatiable need to become the beacon of success. Maybe I was once happy.

fering into chasing the bag. That was all

ook a deep breath, r

last time I smiled with genuine joy? When was the

hed for how I'd become, but

my purpose. It wasn't perfect yet, but it was mine. My creation. A lifestyle store-one

't merely a label; it was a

, there was one thing I had always wanted-to inspire

but I had a business to

nly aroma of freshly brewed coffee, warm c

an extra feature to treat customers who came to browse outfits. Even if they weren't buying, it felt like a good way

ffee paired with a sandwich. I took my tray

was polished-fitted suits, luxurious shoes, quiet sophistication. No one paid me any mind, and I intended

y all-time favorite. I was a lover of love stories. Or

n's Blade by Sarah J. Maas-too many to count. My favorites, though, were paranormal romances. More for the

ght love was all I needed to be happy. But he had been ju

lt real. The love was strong, passionate, but also

in love, in my

earing it might never come tru

was content

during your thirties as you watched friends marr

rice of having

e for me. I wouldn't be happy with just anyone. I knew that deep in my he

y blackened heart, save me-like Rowan and Aelin did for each o

ut loud. For now, I was

ust the way I liked it. I took a bite

e alone, others in quiet conversation, with laughter slipping throu

vements. Everything was running smoothly, just as I h

ere was more to inspect-p

third floor, which housed my corporate fashion line. The showroom was gra

pon jewelry-I inspected everythi

w

y work her

without drawing attention was my next task. J

. Probably m

rated

Maybe family. I dug into my bag for the phone, glancing at

answer it now? Or pu

the

omeone-solid co

y hand. I watched it flip through the

Just

xcuse to postpone the call

back to reality, preparing to offer the best apo

or the inconvenience-I w

my throat as my ey

rd felt adequate. Captivating. Tha

ad spent my life resisting. In that moment, the rest of the worl

his corruption was one I wouldn't mi

e depth of his face, but before I could fu

oya

h, he put dista

oing," he said, his voice calm y

alked past me-leaving me w