iv

hock. For a moment, time suspended itself. My lungs

, still connected to

arthquake happening inside me. "Because it looks like you're fucking my frie

e didn't even bother to adjust her dress; she just rested her elbow

with condescension. "Did you think a man

to pull up his pants. "Baby, please, this is

sing to my face. "How long has

d answer, I heard

ut off as she appeared at my side, ta

ed further. "Th

swear to God I will castrate you with my bare hands," Emili

ments. She tossed her hair back and had the audacity to smirk. "Ryan an

o my ears. "And when exactly were you planning to include me i

said, tucking in his shi

" I threw my hands up. "You've been carefully fuck

ng her arms. "We're all adults here. Mono

ing limiting around here is your mor

hia warned, her

Emilia turned to Ryan. "And you. You pathetic excuse for a m

aby, please. We can talk about this. It's just p

ured to my outfit. "So, I could be downstairs putting on a show

amazing on you,"

That's what you're going with r

ust sa

then spun back. "Two years, Ryan. Two years of me rearranging my schedul

me. "Of course, it was

is your version of love, I

y. "Can we wrap this up?

rning away. "Enjoy your birthday pr

out. We marched down the hallway, my legs somehow carr

ered, her arm still around m

mplosion that had just occurred upstairs. The mu

ront door. Someone called my name, but I

s we stepped outside, and only t

I heard the front door open be

yan called

between us like a shield. "Go bac

Liv," he insisted but ma

anymore," I called back, s

ounded the corner, the sounds

re crumbled. I stopped walkin

can't..." I pressed

." Emilia pulled me in

ed against her shoulde

y hair. "I'm

ngrily at my eyes. "Did

Not for sure. But I

idn't you sa

they'd run into each other, but it seemed... off. The way they were sitting, the way he touched

have proof," I

aid, tapping her phone. "My car'

, suddenly aware of how exposed I

t. I'll keep trying for a ride and

from Sophia's house as possible. "I'd walk to M

oncrete. The neighborhood was upscale, with sprawling houses

ur guys crowded inside, the stench of alcohol wafting our way. The driver

nned, revealing a gold tooth. "We

he passenger seat raised a bottle. "We're cel

lia snapped, pu

river killed the eng

tattoo, vaulted over the door. He st

ou, blondie. Let's se

d grabbed Emilia by her hair, yanking her

ve persona vanishing as pure rage took over.

iend wants to play rough, huh?" He leered at me, eyes fi