ng my chin high even though every step felt like I was walking through wet cement. My chest

isper. Let

think I

y'll see me

ay, h

that day i

t's c

shouted behind me.

l I felt a hand gr

d with something more than concern. She didn't say anything at first. Just looked at me. I knew w

said quickly,

she replied. "

want to

the grass at the side of the lot. "You're not going home to d

n't,

eing him with that girl again shattered what was left. And I know you're pre

ana? Pretend it didn't happen? Act like I didn't matter

abelle Kingston. Daughter of one of the most powerful men in New York. Yo

. "I just wan

en let's help you for

y, suspicious. "What

going

an eyebro

cliché, messy, healing experience. One night of not being the girl

ou think clubbing i

that your life didn't end at that party. That you're st

be curled up in my bed, buried in memories and what-ifs. But may

ven have anyt

y, you know you have s

na.

e for one night. Let him be the last th

been my anchor when everything else f

One n

so tight I almost fell back

ied to smile. "

. I'll pick yo

ll drive. I need som

"Just promise me y

won

parking lot, Lana's v

sexy! We're making a heartbr

uiet laugh. And for the first

me was quie

ts and people who weren't aching like I was. I rolled to a st

ack sedan parked in front. Our driver, Jacob, was

tca

en I s

ing about stock projections and shipment delays. He looked... untouched. Like the world hadn't moved

didn'

voice carrying acros

ed to see me. "Anabelle," he said,

t's going on? W

g his watch. "There's an urgent series of meetings w

mo

mach. "You're leaving?" I asked, my voic

word with Mrs. Bloom, she'll take

you weren't going t

idn't want to deal with emotions. "I didn't want to wake

. "Trying to keep myself from falling apar

respond. Instead, he pulled out

g the lump in my throat. "

e, Anabelle. Y

, he was gone down the stairs, into th

hug. Not even

entrance as the silenc

pt

ver felt so loud

oors as I moved through the hallway. I could

eaving. Always choosing boardrooms over birth

stairs and clenched my fists,

n a whisper, low an

wayward