el

dors, ornate archways, and grand staircases that seemed to stre

ect version of myself. I could navigate it blindfolded if I had to. Instead of heading toward the main hall where the guests were laughing a

den floors, a stark contrast to the clack of heels and th

ping through the shadows, unseen and unheard. Each step down the narrow staircase

es, one of them unmistakably Ethan's. His voice was deep and calm, the kind of voice that could command a room without effort. He was probably talking

ne everything right, everything a man in his position was supposed to do. And yet, his kindness wasn't enough to m

breath, I pushed open the

h from my lungs for a moment, leaving me gasping as I adjusted to the sudden chill. I pulled the ove

ing under the faint glow of the outdoor lights. Each car had a driver waiting patiently to whisk

s, too easy to trace. I needed to disappear, not lea

at led to the main road. The sound of my sneakers crunching against the grav

walked, but I welcomed the discomfort. It reminded m

my breath came out in little puffs of white mist that

h each step, its bright lights fading into the dista

rescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a harsh, unnatural glow on the rows of snacks, magazines, and travel essent

rom his ears barely glanced up from his phone. His disinterest was almost comfort

word felt foreign on my tongue, like I'd forgotten how to speak in this n

creen as he chewed lazily on a piece of gum. "Sh

Directionless as I was, all I knew was

urdly mundane in my hands, but I clung to them like they were anchors. I paid in cash, watching the cr

me again, sharper this time, and I shi

nch near the road. I sank down onto it, clutching my bag tightly against my chest, my fi

appeared, cutting through the darkness. The bus pulled up in front of me, its brakes squealing as it came to

climbed on, his voice wa

I considered giving him a destination, a plan, something conc

" I said, my voice

s head as he took the crumpled bill I

away and rumbled down the road, I turned to look out the window. The mansion, with all its g

hat came next. All I had were the clothes on my back, the cash in my p

. Beneath the fear and uncertainty, there was a fl