e Bea

ed me. It numbed me to the outside world, to Gage's frantic calls and texts, the ones I simply ignored. He sent flowe

ked in. My body ached, a constant reminder of the life that had been snat

few belongings. The place felt cold and empty, despite its lavish furnishings. It was

art supplies-the only things that truly felt like mine-t

it wa

, looking disheveled, his eyes bloodshot, a stark contrast to his u

e began, his voice

k about," I said, my vo

ear, I' ll make it up to you. I' ll do anything. I' ll never see Brylee again. I' l

magnificent diamond necklace, glittering under the hallway

he said, his voice cracking. "Please, Carlie.

of the wealth he used to buy and con

g my lips. "You think a necklace can erase the pain? The lies? T

ed, his f

st... Brylee called, she sounded genuinely distress

pattern, followed by a three-year pattern, and now, another one. You don't

y hand, his grip s

ow how much my grandmother loves you. It's her gala tonight, the an

me with kindness. She genuinely loved me, I knew that. The thought of disa

n I rem

er and calm to his chaotic life. She didn't know the real Carlie, the one

lling my hand away. "I'm leaving. And I'

last time. For the family. For me. Just show up, and then.

there, yes, but also a familiar flicker of his innate control, his arrogan

ted decision fo

word a venomous whis

oded his face. A genuine smile, the kind that

in his voice. "Thank you. I'll send the car for

stepped back, my hand r

d don't expect me to pretend. I'm doing this for

nodded, accepting my terms. He still thought it was a t

logne lingering in the air, a stark co

or, my heart a

truce. This wa

ye to the life I once

would face them all. And th