en'

Chicago felt unus

my younger brothers Parker and Patrick flanking me. We were deep in discussio

d said firmly, tapping a report with one

Sybil, she's amazing with marketing. She says we need to step into the future. Bold co

mic. They acted like they were staring in a damn rom-com every time they breathed the same

weetheart. The media adored her. They called her a social media juggernaut, a po

a polished Ivy League degree, a trust fund, a li

ipo suction, spa treatments, everything about her was manufactured, carefully curat

ful families. He pushed for our marriage, and I went alon

t the Bright Initiative Group is key. They're

a meeting with them. Le

ut tuned out again,

r

y. But with the college reunion coming up, it was like she'd cli

s. I wondered if she'd show up. Her name was on the graduate list. I never asked around. Neve

't help wondering.

The way she clung to me like I was the only person who'd ev

u

o me?" my dad snapped, ya

uickly, sitting up s

ading this thing, so get

s,

y scrolling through his phone like he had a hot date. Parker followed

beside me with her tablet. "

s,

everything they've touched and who they've worked wi

erst

I just stood there. Then I moved to my computer, opened an old,

r

illow, the sheets tangled around her curves. She never kn

t and touche

ice in my ear. The way we explored each ot

itched at

cue, my p

ueen Bitch o

d answered.

she snapped. "What day

ever.

ons. I need to make sure I show them

plane is set for Thursd

o goodbye. No

on my desk and lean

my

a's

i

" I say, trying to calm the tornado of tho

bitch, you are gonna t

romise. "Just

with the kids, eating beef and fries while helping Maya with her juice box. The sight of my Goddaughter l

hits me, and I'm suddenly back there years ago at the sta

k - Aria

ore than my ag

s hell, still believing people meant what they said.

ent: a four bedroom condo with a full-time maid and cook. I didn't see her much. We had separate ro

in, Lucia, our mai

Cómo estás?" I

ch. She always looked out for me. Then she leaned in and whis

es. "Thanks for the heads

t make

it! Still haven't lost any weight, I see. And your hair... gi

Same ol

ian, my hair was thick and coily, and I loved my co

"Hey, Talia. How

started dating someone new, things you'd never be able to

d calmly and walked to my room, hearing her mutter under her breath,

th my sister back home. I dropped my suitcase and headed ba

le

s he talked to Talia about so

or and saw him, really s

was go

ke a man who lived in the gym. His jawline could cut g

pered to myself, "A guy like that wou

y to a gym bro who ghosted me immediately after. Chased me for

But the hookups were blah. No sparks. Just... a release. We ended things after a pregnancy s

I was praying for better. Hopi

f Fla

I smile, but my mind is still back there, on that staircase, i

dn't even

back

t