Hold

ld have been unbearable. I would have called, texted, left tearful voicemails, convinced that I had done something terribly wrong. Eventually, I would break, apologizing for things that weren' t my fault, just to have h

control me. But now, without love, t

he furniture, the art on the walls, the mismatched coffee mugs-it was all his. I had moved into his life, his space, and in the process, I had erased myself. I hadn' t boug

t a storage unit, I went to the office and formally submitted my resignatio

her eyes scanning my face. "Is everything a

onfused. "W

he New York office a few weeks ago. He said he was getting married and nee

silent rush. New York. He w

his fiancée, Bree Campbell. It' s such a shame to lose you, dear. With your talent, you should

ening finality. He had a plan. A whole future mapped out

work out, I' ll

cold, calculated strategy. He was going to give it one last shot with Br

n' t bother correcting Maria' s misun

e very happy," I s

who was leaving. I went, wanting one last normal night before my life imploded. I had a c

-private alcove. I heard Ewing' s voice and froze

is New York transfer lined up, a golden opportunity. You sa

always dreamed of working at the headquarters of Vanguard Innovations. Our firm partne

fter all this time? And you just g

punch to the gut. "This is my chance. If she says yes, I' ll have everything I' ve ever wanted. And if s

grounding me. He still thought I would be wa

e to the alcove, a triumphant smirk on

ne. And you know what they say about Vanguard' s CEO, Kasen Coleman? He' s the most

see, Haven, some of us are winners, and some of us are... placeholders. But don' t wor

resist one final act of cruelty. As she turned to walk away,

t to catch herself, b

all with a sickening crack. Stars exploded behind m

utching her arm and wincing in fake pain, and then he saw me, leaning aga

n't he

ng into mine, and rushed to Bree' s si

nocent. "She pushed me, Ewing. I was just

d by pure, unadulterated fury. My head was pounding, the room w

s the face. The crack echoed in the narrow hallway. A smear of

his voice trembling with rage. "You

himpering Bree behind him as if

ce dripping with venom. "And this time, I mean it. Don' t expe

ders, and guided her back into the restaurant, the d

y head a dull counterpoint to the hollow ache in my

was a

ir felt good on my face. My head hurt, and my heart felt bruised, but I knew,

w York. As the plane took off, leaving the lights of Denver scattered l

e had won. He had Bree, he had the job i

ea what he h