The Last Call: From Star to Scapegoat

ion was dismi

rly, a droppe

k, then Ashley smiled thinly at the

ing a bad dream.

reassured

n, their expressions unr

passed, but the air rem

without an

mined the new bruises blo

rks against h

f of their la

tached confirmatio

limits to what

er, all bright smi

Ethan. Did you sleep

bruise on his forearm, v

. An insult to

ing, just st

, a whirlwind of

ess what? We're going to plan

s attention, to paper

he family yacht! Just us. Sunshine, se

on. A grand gestur

amily yacht. It was old,

aid, his v

generosity, the bitterne

hley cajoled. "It'll be fun! A few

n, "We insist! It

uffocating. They wouldn

was pointle

s, Ethan noticed the

ictoria,

hours, sometimes

s business, or Jason needing suppo

, a gnawing un

they pla

e on his bedside table while she we

h a notificat

ps a premonition, m

h the screen, his movem

ria's social

m of pi

ictoria,

ing on a sun-

This was a sleek, modern

met food, Jason lookin

e-celebratory getaway

tamp: Thre

this sterile room, they were ce

t trip for him suddenly felt

im, a fresh wave

etrayed him. They

ting his eyes,

favorite cashmere sweater, one Ashley had given Ethan last

o creep in, a defense agai

e phone as if

the "trip

all party at the rehab

came a showca

epting congratulations from staff who had b

lchair, a spectator a

ated.

the ground

ble, grow

ing shook

c er

. Alarm

ke!" some

ao

air. Lights fl

groaned, a te

ictoria reac

t, a silent c

both turn

y?" Ashley cried, r

as right b

pulling him toward

oning

is heart a cold, heav

rayal. Utter

rashed down near him, s

ed in his

s wheelchair pinne

stark and primal

nd chaos, he saw A

his for a fle

concern.

d, hard ca

d disappeared with

lear. Jason's safe

nt leaving her