ce's

ating days since that incident at the office..

ing an old cartoon I loved as a kid. The voices and silly j

hank God I hadn't sold it after marrying Vincent. At

o album and held it in my lap. My fingers trembled. For a moment,

.. I op

ad and Mom, smiling together. They look

me as a child, tongue stuck out, wearing ridiculous clothes. A

d further

s if we were truly one happy family. That photo had been staged after our wedding.

een so hap

e hospital, he was still asking for Vincen

ood man... but n

n my cheeks before

d loudly, startling me. A

me no see, bitch. I'm back. How

kname... only one pe

ispered, smiling

hrough college. She was always the loud one, the bold one-the one who d

typed back: "What t

st one night to breathe. To cool my mind. Of course, I wouldn'

as alive-crowds everywhere, fancy li

mischievous smile exactly as I remembered. I lifted my hand to wa

en... I

de her. Recognition hit me ins

ds. Back then, he had chased me endlessly, asking me to be his girlfriend.

made me smile softl

nto a tight hug that nearly cracked my r

Morgan, do you have to scream?

yelled even louder,

beside us. "She has

" I agreed, shaki

s. "Enough talking! Come

bout my dad, about me, about everything. I smiled so

ashed. Morgan immediately ordered drinks. Whe

I don't dri

h, I remember-you used to sl

Adrian laughed quietly, his

stead. When I thanked him,

e floor, throwing her arms around li

nges," Adrian s

ded. "

his eyes serious. "So

ughing. He quickly leaned

and back immediately. "I didn't mean

I whispered,

ard you got a job

ow... do you

here. I know there's some... secr

ay." I forced

re an executive dir

n sighed. "But I don'

e. I actually have a job opportunity for you. My company is launching a new competition. I rea

appreciating my work so sin

't think so.

id earnestly, half-r

t!" I quickly stopped him.

h mine. "Your designs are the best I've see

ple who had ever spoken of me

you," I

lic

d through the no

.. and my

nce

with Lillian on his arm. Her li

s glittered with poison. "I can't believe you're

ian repeated, h

s fixed on Adrian,

n-" Adrian be

e, when I've been calling the house phone, You're right here .At a

for your information, I'm no longer stayin

ock flashing across h

his voice low. "Alic

dded.

cent's hand clamped on my wri

ousy burning-but she quickly masked it. "Brother

He simply ordered his as

he dragg

ger and a foolish spark of hope. Maybe... maybe he had

stepped inside, my

his breath hot against my ear. His li

oving at his chest

, carrying me into the bed

as I struggled.

tears streaking down my face. H

s anymore? Is it because of

ms curling protectively over

Remember the contract, Alice. No re

ice raw. "What about you, Vincent

ly. "No. Because

d out, leaving me

I had hoped for an apology. I had hoped

cry no more, m

message fr

I hope you're okay. I wish I could see y

ough the pain. Adrian was kind. G

k: "Yes. I'm

ng while, I fell asleep wit