cut on my arm was healing, leaving a thin, red line

Jaxon got out, carrying a large bouquet of roses. He looked tired, with dark c

said, rushing over. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here. Janice... she was r

tween us. "You've got a lot of

? I was worried sick." He looked at me, his eyes pl

I felt nothing. No anger, no sadness. Just

ushed past Jameel and took my good hand. "I kne

s. "Get in. I'm taking you home. We need to start planning the

ady on to t

eat, the engagement ring on my finger feeling like a block of

ere beautiful, but I knew they were just another checked

ang. The screen on the dashboard l

ossing his face before he answered, his voi

t's wrong? A

eakers. "Jaxon! I fell! I was getting out of the shower and

ite as he gripped the steering wheel. "Don't mo

mask of harried apology. "El, I'm so s

d," I said,

me a quick, distracted kiss on the cheek. "I'll c

he pulled away from the curb and sped down the street. He left me sitting in my hospital discha

time, I w

ailed a taxi, and said,

d Jaxon across town to a luxury apartment building I had never seen b

m in my chest. I walked into the lobby and saw Jaxon's nam

15B was slightly ajar. I could hear their voices inside.

up on a pillow. There wasn't a scratch on her. She

amining her perfectly fine ankle. "Does it hu

Oh, Jaxon, I was so scared. What if I had really hurt m

king her hair. "I will always

to marry her. You have to be with her. It must be so hard

m to defend me. A small, stupid

owe him this. Do you think I feel anything when I kiss her? When I ho

d. A block of wood. That's all I was t

our wife. She's just... a placeholder." She looked up, her eyes scanning the room, and for

in her eyes. She knew I was there. Th

g, passionate kiss. "I just hate sharin

. I walked down the hallway, into the elevator, and out of the building. The world outside see

and sat down. I pulled out my phone.

Janic

he game. She wanted to r

long moment. Then, with a st

e game