cka

pain, a stark contrast to the plush carpets of the hotel. The morning breeze c

s felt like physical blows. I had never been

ck against the cold brick. I slid to the ground, hugge

f the morning's humiliation-it was al

settled in their place. I pulled out my phone

the address for

nd leave. I was done. Done with my family

ght estate. I took a deep breath, tugged at the hem

iet. Most of the pa

d down witho

r the main portico when

e have you be

p of the steps, dressed in a pristine silk mo

d over me. They snagged on the unfami

idn't come home," she pressed,

her games. "It's none of your b

th. She leaned in close, her nose twitching as sh

lash of something ugly-jealousy and disbe

ped. My brain

Candice's

s always abroad, a phantom figure who ran t

authority, those flint-gray eyes,

ught began to form. The bloo

ulous," I manag

ve front door of the

ght step

andice, and his stride faltered for a fraction of a second. His gray eyes flickered over me, o

ntly abandoning me to cling to his arm like

a

th knell. It confi

est friend's-my enemy

spoke, his voice quiet but carryi

ce. Le

he was watching the realizatio

red-handed. I was trapped,

ul, desperate secret, was about to