ting a distance between them that felt like a chasm. "I need to

o his side, his gaze never leaving hers, but she could see the storm of emotions brewing behind his eyes. He looked li

voice betrayed his frustration. "Take all the time you need

he emotions swirling in her chest. If she stayed in this room with him any longer, she was

rely above a whisper, turning on her

e door, Adam's voice

il

g on the door handle, her

his voice low and rough with e

ly on her shoulders. Then, without another word, she opened the door and

of Adam's presence, the revelations-it had all been too much. She needed air, space, time to think about everything. The trut

n had stopped, leaving the pavement slick and glistening under the streetlights. She pulled

onfession, and of Alana. The idea that their marriage had been nothing but a facade was hard to wrap her mind around. Alana had always playe

d her that he still loved her, that he had nev

ut of her thoughts. She pulled it out, glanci

alk. Meet me tomorr

s. It had been years since they had been close, and now, the prospect of facing her sister made he

at all costs, to put some distance between them while she tried to sort out the mess she had found herself in. But another p

reath, she type

e. Where

, her mind still reeling. Tomorrow she would meet with her siste

he way he had looked at her as if she were the only person in the world. Despite everything, despite the years of dis

hat simple. Alana was involved. Their family, their history-it wa

a held over him. What was it that could be so damaging, so dangerou

on that clouded her mind. She needed to think, needed t

e couldn't help but wonder: Would she ever really be free of this

efore lingering like a shadow. She had barely slept, her mind spinning with thought

m their meeting today. But one thing was clear: this wasn't going to be a friend

nd jeans, something casual but put together. She n

na had suggested, her phone buzzed

Don't b

ade her more anxious. Alana was always in control, always one ste

, her blonde hair perfectly styled, her designer handbag perched on the chair beside

n unreadable, but there was a tightness around her

her voice cool. "I wa

king a seat across from her.

ly's face. There was something calculating in her gaze, s

," Alana said, her voice sharp,

ed a beat, her blo