nca'

forgot the cold, the shouts, the flashes

en Si

T-shirt clung to his chest, grey sweatpants sitting low on his hips. Casual. Effortless. Completely out of place in a

his e

eadable, a flicker of recognition befor

y stilled when he noticed something beside me. I followed h

ling hand. Standing to his full height, he didn't thank me, just snatched it

d Bianca Calloway?!" the sho

ired, and paparazzi descende

under his br

e and bolted toward the Aston Ma

ing inside

ot lik

as I skidded on the gravel. The pain in my leg didn't matter as

ushed to the other side, opened the door, and lunged in

ease-just

I thought he might toss me out. Hi

osed in, pounding on the g

to gear and hit the gas. Tires screeched.

fell like

on the steering wheel was murderou

dow, every breath jagged. The silence between

d. Hesi

was ab

an

time

l not

voice. "How'

s whitened o

't take i

red. "For everything N

just enough for me to see t

hat," he snapped. "Not a

say it anyway. I was stupid. Blind.

a wall. One I k

wrong man. I married a monster. And I let go of the only person wh

ened. A muscle t

t to rewrite h

de the worst mistake of my life. But I'm not the

at me. And it hurt. That stare?

jerked to a

wn forward agai

-what th

red straight ahead, his voi

nked.

he bit out. "Ge

t leave me in the m

rse than hell. This

ught. The wor

ve. "Please-just gi

ly, "if you don't get ou

to be. It carried the weight of a man

eached for th

und of the car door slamming shut behin

artin was gone, tail lights disappearing dow

the sidewa

thinking? Of cour

g away tears. I was so stupid to think doing this would fix anythi

ery right

till nee

o figure out a b

he long walk home. The sun had dipped low, laying orange streaks across the s

first, then a downpour. I groaned, tilt

hed the mansion, the night had fully settled. My dress clung to my skin

e I once called home. It didn't feel like

ling in my stomach. I didn't have th

were both out or asleep. Praying I woul

, with most of the maids likely re

than had moved out months ago-after his precious company start

better. He just didn't want to be around me. I was a nuisan

ching for a towel and fresh clothes when a shar

d, clutching my sto

ing Dr. Emily tomorr

my dress to change, but the door sudden

k anymore-" I start

as Na

ir messy, tie half undon

he crossed the room and pull

e worried sick. I thought you had be