el

wall, brick by silent brick. I walked over to my suitcases, checkin

This cold, detached calm was a language he didn't understand. A hollow feeling began to bloom in his chest, an unfamiliar emptiness where my constant, unwavering a

ience, as if dealing with a petulant child. He walked into the kitchen and po

age. "Where's Bianca?" I asked, my tone light

"She's at home, resting. Her parents are with her." He swirled the amber liquid in his glass. "Look, Hazel, I kn

t as he always did. In the past, I would have clung to that smal

the gala, Alex," I sa

ult. Get unpacked. We're leaving in

arm, and pulled me toward the bedroom. His grip wa

ogy, but as a statement of fact. A crisis only he could solve. He pulled the car over abruptly. "G

or the second time in three days. The humiliation didn't even register

ty at the club tonight. Alex wants you there.' I knew Alex hadn't sent the message. But I wa

sycophants. Bianca saw me too, and a malicious little smile played on her lips. As I walked past her table, she deliberately stuck

eyes gleaming with triumph. "Oops," she said, her voic

liquid seeping through the fabric. I didn't c

un?" I as

ack of reaction. Then she pulled out her phone. "Oh,

ver seen. "For B," he said, his voice soft. "Happy early birthday. I know you've always wanted this." He held up a set of keys to a brand-ne

a cooed, tucking her phone away. "He

. "God, Higgins is whipped. You've had him wrapp

he public humiliation-it was all just no

ting through their laughter, "yo

opped and s

eyes locked on Bianca's, "and you're manipula

And you can tell Al

a conspiratorial whisper, but loud

said to go f