He Thought I'd Stay: His Mistake

one buzzed. It was a number I didn't recognize, but it was fr

didn't wait for a response. "The family is thrilled you've finally agreed to be r

family that had stood by and watc

the Mosley family will be there. Your father... well, before he passe

riage. To a man

ourse," my uncle added hastily,

fe for show, and a passionate woman on the side for fun

s. "Sure. Why not? A marriage

, just as I had fought against acknowledging his family for years. I h

my voice hollow. "As Chace and Karyn

Love, loyalty, forever-they were all illusions. Maybe

was Chace. I almost declined, but

ed. "I... I think my stomach is ble

ne wen

under stress. He' d had a major bleeding incident in college, and it had

h a concussion. I remembered all the times he' d stood up for me, protected me. Was

d with a famili

nd racing. "The Onyx

ng with fear. I burst into the private room he' d mentio

g with a group of friends. Karyn was perched

eir friends, all of them lo

I told you she'd be

he saw my face. He looked g

even noticed, my hair plastered to my face, my chest h

aid, his voice laced with a conde

hter, the smug faces-it all faded into a dull roar

Karyn cooed, patting the seat next to h

aid, my v

Ember, sit down.

was a long, showy kiss that made their friends cheer. I just

ard. Her eyes landed on me,

I command you to... let's see... go over there and let that man," she pointed to a sl

d in wolf whist

nd. I looked at Chace, expecting

face. There was no concern in his eyes. No protection. N

hing inside me finall

A dead, em

e bottle of whis

shot instead," I said

The alcohol burned my throat, a fiery path down to

ce said, a hint of panic in his

. Don't be such a buzzkill, Chace." She pulled him t

ther glass.

Chace and Karyn dancing, their bodies pressed close together. He wh

l. They were happy

he darkness consumed me was their intertwined silhouettes, a perfec