My Escape: A Marriage of Convenience

in, the first thin

exhausted, his expensive suit rumpled, a dark stubble shadowing his jaw. He loo

to my side. "God, I'm so sorry

I flinched, my body recoiling before

of pained remorse. "I'm so, so sorry I didn't answer," he said, his voice low and earnest

easy. So

who had left me to bleed while he tended to his obsession. A broken, hysterical laugh bu

s brow furrowed with concern. "You

are. It was all a performance. A show for him, for me, for the

of rest and physical therapy. "It's best if you have someone to look after you

" Adler promised, his vo

a private luxury recovery suite that looked more like a five-star hotel. He spoon-fed me brot

thought he was the most l

sh away his guilt with a flood of performative care. He was tending to me the

in his gleaming black sports car. "I have a surprise for

uriosity. No excitement. Ju

t was Cory. Adler

ew app is tonight," Cory sa

e," Adler

?" Cory asked, a note of

said firmly. "She's my girl

u sure this is a good idea? Are you just tr

y side," Adler said, his voice laced with a false sincerity that was m

that I was the one who mattered. I was ju

ay," Cory sighe

his eyes pleading for my understanding. "We'll just say h

he fight had gone out of me, re

m wrapped protectively around my waist, leading me through the crowd of tech inve

heard someone whisper. "Es

place," another voice said. "Hazel i

, for his part, played his role to perfection. He ignored Annika completely, his attention focused solely on me.

e whispered, his warm

eigned adoration for me, kept flicking over my shoulder, his gaze landing on Annika for a fraction of a s

t take it

troom," I murmured, p

tention already snagged by a conve

. I headed for the exit, bu

ng so

her lips. "He's really putting on a show for

d not

my name in bed just two weeks ago. He cried when he was inside me. Did h

ter my composure. But they couldn't t

you can win. He's obsessed with you, yes. But it's a sick, destructive ob

ttle mouse he keeps around because you're easy! You s

oice still level. "You only want him now t

she couldn't believe the

e," she whispered, her confi

in my voice surprised even me. "I wish you

ld high. I found a group of my old college friends, Charley's friends,

ut with a false cheerfulness. "Never

ilent. Everyone stared at me, then at Adler, who wa

e game