Shattered Party, Fierce Comeback

. She rushed forward, her fa

my god, are

sticky, bloody mess on my cheek. She recoiled slightly, a fleeting look of disgust on her face bef

I didn't need h

steady presence a

s Ch

r. He had been with my mother since before she even met David. His loyalty wa

voice a quiet rebuke to e

nt and respectful. He then offered me his arm, helping me to my feet with a dignity I n

nounced, his gaze sweeping over David,

authority in that moment than my own father did. He led me out of th

ad washed the last of the cake and humiliation from my hair, I sat on my bed, wrap

ed as I dialed the private number for my mother's clinic in Swit

g, her voice groggy with sleep

what is it? Is ev

he cold resolve I had maintained all

. "They hurt me. Dad... Ryan... th

just cried, pouring out all the be

oice change. The sleepiness vanished, r

you, Chloe? Tell me e

the smashed phone, and the final, deep humiliation of having my

he line when I finished. It w

used right before she destroyed a competitor in the boardroom. "Pack a bag. Charles will take

." I started, a new wave

it never really began. It was a test, Chloe. A test

f her absence, the worry, the power vac

use," she commanded. "I

hung

No, the storm was already here. Her name was

cking, the phone in my roo

els terrible about what happened. She and Ryan think it would be best if

athtaking. After everything they had done, t

ripping with scorn, "to enjoy her

ile on my face. They had no id