eaceful. It was deaf

on her chest, squeezing out the breath she didn't even reali

em of her skirt pooling around her knees, her tremb

ked. Onc

the tea

t. Not

obs that clawed out of her throat

th another woman a- and he- he still said happy anniversary?" She didn't cry like

ispered to no one. "T

gh to commit to. Three years of turning my back o- on my own reflection in the mirror, because every time

head to her knees, nails digging into her th

for him," her voice

rships. You lied to

ing something - anything - to anchor her to the m

your best friend," t

et her

ed. Her voice cracked.

mind alr

sh

a year and

Ivy, Seraphina's only bestfriend and siste

ing will be fine, Ivy. It's just a night party and moreove

Nate. I don't trust him! That guy is

bellowed as she cast a side

is the only man in the world! His family is into shady business!

a party, Ivy. And That's what we are going to d

say anything. She couldn't mutter inter breath, "I h

voice rang out from t

ce as a smile found it's way to her face. She

aphina's outfit. She was donning a deep blue shirt sequin gown. Alth

of course. You had invited

already." She walked to Seraphina and pulled he

Seraphina was about to c

tes, Ser

y's face, she teased, "don't look like that.

not going to take a partner from a clu

h that, the trio walked

ten minutes later

followed by a second, sharper c

e chaos

h. Red laser sights danced along the walls as they raised their rifles toward the ceiling and fired several deafening shots.

ody get

ad shoulders and a six-foot frame, clearly their leader. He stepped forward through the f

ms er

er was praying. Phones were dropped. People dove under tabl

a's hear

pulling her close, her hands tre

em behind him

ren't hidde

sed, his head tilting as

pressed a finger to his earpiece. "We

e crowd parting for him li

his arm locked around Seraphina protectively,

inch. He gave a sh

ke

rged forward, dragging Nate out of her

Seraphina, desperate to pull her back. "Let them go, Ser

the men off. One of them slammed her against a sp

down!" Ivy hissed as sh

only seemed to

ach other a lo

them

med. "We're not

was t

already

e lights flickered above them. Blood-curdling cries echoed around the club

the panicking crowd, Seraph

when sh

n't confused. He was terr

fied her more