han

with the same eyes I remembered fr

illusion, but I knew what I had seen. I tried to step forward,

broke, barely risi

ke it was spinning, pulling

o feel him, to hear him

red me, keeping me upright

voice, pulling me back toward

his grasp and turning back toward w

ean! He's alive,

ion a mix of concern and confusion. "Bethany, you n

ge to break free and run aft

rage and desperation. "That man has my son,

he car hurriedl

red! You

ver. Dean quickly waved him off, giving me a look t

d away, every pa

em back, forcing myself to hold it toget

re," he murmured softly,

nswers, but n

my mind spinning with a whirlwind of e

over in my head. How could Fred do this? How could he let me belie

mbling. I could barely keep it together as we walke

rdering a glass of water f

as heavy, filled with un

spoke. "Bethany... I think I kn

es filled with determinat

et from his pocket and sl

at the Grand Luxe Hotel. I wasn't plannin

ticket, clutching it tightly

romise me you'll be careful. Whatever you find out to

h my heart was still pounding

Evening - GRA

n a sleek black gown, my hair pinned back,

and music, glittering chandeliers casting a

e ambiance or the luxury

near the bar, laughing and raising his

his carefree smile making me sick. *How co

ay through the crowd and approached

my voice barely contai

se crossing his face before

ith a mocking smile. "W

barely holding myself

ocence, raising

out," I hissed, stepping closer. "I

drink, dismissing me with a casual wave. "You mu

to me, Fred. I know what I saw. You

the attention we were drawing. "Bethany, this

mly, refusing to

truth, and I

gnaling the bartender for anoth

acting as if my presence was nothi

the complete lack of rem

drink from the bar, downing it in one go, hoping the

I ordered another, matc

of us caught in a s

alcohol numbing my anger b

d at me, his gaze intense and challenging. "Ar

out hesitation, my vo

grabbing my hand and leading me

lway, his hand firm around mine. He opened a

led with soft lighting and

long sip before turning to face me. "Bethany

lf to stay calm. "I'm not here for your

h? Fine. I lied to you, Bethany. Jason... he's al

physical blow, the air

edge of the bed for support. "How c

"Because you were weak, Bethany. Jason deserves be

knew it, I'd closed the distance bet

ust smirked, clearly

hing in his voice wavered, almos

t moment, standing up t

reached the door, I hesita

t simmering just below the surface. "You lie

at a crack in his facade. "I did what I had to do, B

into my palms. "That's not true. I

his gaze lingering on

ilence between us heavy with unresolved emotions. My ey

dropping to a whisper. "You're st

ing in my throat. "You have no

for something. "I have every right. I'm the one

od my ground. "You're not the

ion palpable. Then, without thinking, I reached out

hurt me every mo

n. Fred's eyes flickered, his gaze dropping to my hand. I fel

his fingers intertwining with mine. It was a

g, Fred leaned in, his li

a fire within me. Fred's arms wrapped around

orgot about Jason, forgot about everythin

ping for air, reality cra

, my heart pounding in my

ho had taken everything from me... and ye

urselves up like we were 17, he got

e whispered funny things in my head. We gla