ifficult conversations, but none qui

carrying cases of makeup and tools, personal shoppers discussing colors and fabrics like generals planning a military

Isla cooed, holding up a shimmering silver

politely, her

red where he went - but the ache of uncertainty gnawed at her. This life wasn't hers. This name, this ring on h

pital bed, her smile bright despite everything. It

m was empty now, bathed in soft afternoon light. His jacket still hung on the back of the chair, a glass of whiskey half-finished on the desk

ave of ner

d the phone and dialed the hospital. Mia's number w

ster's soft voi

t tightened. "

it going? Is he... is he

gh, sitting on the desk's

for arrogan

admitted. "But it's

t as ridiculous as it

should be paying rent just

rmed her heart

you too,

e line, a heaviness nei

" Mia said quietly. "For the

her eyes. "Goo

be there

othing could

. I wish you didn't h

over," Serena said fiercel

won

made Serena jolt. She qu

ssion unreadable. "You'r

anding. "Your mother nearly

hed. "That soun

esn't l

sn't lik

u could've warned me. That w

be fazed so easily,"

fazed,"

d himself another drink. The amber liq

u tonight,

ught we established this isn

rity gala. My father expects us to attend.

ow I don't belong in

if you're worried about the people you'll meet tonight, don't be. Th

a wry smile.

the part. Hold my hand. Smile when they ask

she said before sh

rised t

row furro

your mother's a terror, and this whole si

almost missed it. He set the glass down and crossed

e this gets a lot easier if

udy fell away, leaving only the quiet hum of the city, the faint sce

reaking the spell.

ed away. "Be downstairs at se

her sanity betray

ckwork, Caden in a sleek black tuxedo, his expression guarded as al

p neckline a little scandalous, the delicate beading catching every fli

surprise flashing bef

n up well

t a comp

it go to

led despit

the tinted windows. Caden's phone buzzed nonstop, his assista

e asked as they

ous. Remember na

one throws a

ouble y

erves momentar

to a stop. The driver opened the door, and

lacing hers in his. His grip was warm, stea

r, the world a blur of lights and

, over

show us t

engaged to the city's mo

ed smile, her fingers tigh

she said sweetly, earnin

players circled like sharks, each interact

e had to survi

. For h

had very little to do with obligation - an