xia

fice wasn't just heav

wait for

urned and

the measured rhythm of a woman who

o my apartme

cheduled for 48

one didn't ring, b

s 2:0

eeping the security

s time, the regret was gone,

e door,

to say from there

almost hit an artery. She did it because she loves Anton. She wants him to

rsh hallway light cast deep shadows over his eye

. "She threatened him. She told him that if he didn't say he hated me, she

hat's insane. Anton loves her. Y

him off. "Let me guess. A horizontal scratch

ce cracking. "Why are you so b

aid softly. "That

ed Cassandra from the wreckage first. The way he had looked at

dden wave of exhaustion. "That's fine.

gize to her. For the press.

d, a dry, humorless s

the doo

the de

ounding his fist on the

hower. I let the water run full blast until th

I left my key on t

wn the stairs, the wheels

he was wearing oversized designer sunglass

tracks. Her gaze sw

er tone was light, but the unde

na,"

? Don't be delusional, dear. What can

red disdain. "Go back to your father's farm. Or stay here and take

gripping the suitcase handle

she spat. "It's ugly. J

n't f

ye," I

ont door and into t

loons. Streamers. A massive banner hung ac

lt. Cameras were flashing in a frenzy. Cassandra was

grotesque, public d

ewalk, completely

o her finger. It was massive-

bloom in my chest. It was

r was fin

a passi

the driver. "Inter

unfold in the rearview mirror. The balloon

ting smaller.

ing but a speck of d