min

My vision blurs as tears well up in my eyes, and my c

rating and crushing as if I am simultaneously sheddin

ey could come outside at any moment, laughing, mock

tisfaction. But the moment I

nrestrained, pouring from my bod

breath comes in sharp, gasping stutters. My body tre

, wiping my face with trembling fingers. "It's

isten to logic. It cla

years I wasted, the nights I stayed awake hoping he'd change, a

nged vows, but I had been too blinded by love, to

hange a cheating s

storm toward the elevator, jabbing the

in ragged gasps. The moment the doors close, I press my ba

ut, squeezed so tightly against my che

ble-Maxwell has been unfaithf

my love to his advantage, and twisted my d

ing, the kind of voice that had always made me go weak just listening

listened. I had walked away from a career I loved, c

e was no

ness. I was nothing more than a pawn on his ch

rm of thoughts. I step out into the chilly

jacket. But I guess I was too focused on the scen

he cold. I scroll through my contacts, my vision blurred with f

a.

the first rin

roat closes up. A strangl

lk to me! Wh

. I just-" My voice breaks, my chest heaving. "I just

ence. Then a sharp intake o

my face, though the

firm, urgent. "Take a deep breath.

t see me. "Okay," I whisper

into the back seat, my bod

The hour-and-a-half drive feels endless, every mile stretching

I was overreacting? How many times had

ining things

e so ins

ing parano

me from my downward spi

riented. "Oh.

weak beneath me. The moment I tu

a.

murmurs, pulling me in

gain. I sob against her shoul

rubs my back, and whispers reassurance

makes it bearable. She asks no unnecessary que

y anchor, my reminder

e than anything, confirms what I have known deep do

let my life stop

a place buzzing with Chicago's elite.

ike I am rebuilding something of my own. Tak

en too long since I have let loose, and I want to

outfits with the kind of giddy ex

ed, but thanks to Ava's connecti

drink turns into two. Then three. The music pulses a

the crowd. As I scan the room, my gaze

of mystery clinging to

rt stu

orld slows. A strange, electri

et. Just fo

to send a shive

d shifts, and

trying to shake

hing tell

till w