old eyes. He probably expected me to cry, to beg. He always saw

on his lips. "Playing hard to get now, El

votion. He couldn't imagine a world whe

nervously. "Chase, Ms. Carrillo's flight from London ju

his tongue befor

, his good mood vanishing. He shot a g

didn't mat

the hotel room without anot

This place had never been a home. It was a beautiful cage. I took only my personal belongings, leaving behind the jewelry, the clothes

he bedroom door burst open. Chase st

He strode across the room, grabbed my arm, and

e," I said, my voic

growled, pulling me towards th

y wife one last time?" I asked, struggling aga

this. You leaked those photos of me and June to

wildered. "What are

ssive television. A news channel was on, the screen filled with a chaotic scene at

O Chase Vargas have been in a relati

ending divorce from his wife, E

Chase and June, taken years ago. They looked happy, in

ipping with venom. "You were jealous of her, even as k

d our childhood all too clearly. June, the orphan my parents had adopted out of the goodness

h wide, tear-filled eyes, telling our parents I had pushed her. They had believed her, of course. J

But it was impossible to love a snake

voice weary. I was done defending my

" He saw my packed suitcase by the stairs. "Running

-one he had bought me. It was elegant and demure. T

for June's new album. You're going to stand by my side and smile. You're going to

humiliation was a bitter taste in my mou

d past him, my shoulder brushing his.

ible, staring out the window. He drove in a te

r role, Elena

to my side, he took my hand. I flinched, but forced mysel

most a performance. "Let's go show t

were blinding. I put a small, polite smile on my face and w

ronged starlet. When she saw my hand in Chase's, her angelic smile faltered for just a second. A flash o

oubt, that this whole c