of the club. The music, the shouting, the clinking of glasses-all of it seemed to f

her the most. There was no anger, no frustration-just cold indifference. Sarah

secting her with every word. She opened her mouth to respond but found herself at a loss for words. This

drowned out by the relentless thrum of the bass. But the apolo

her, eyes narrowing as if he were measuring how lon

you?" His voice was calm, almost casual,

r chest. She jerked her wrist out of his grip. "Who do you think you are?" she sn

umiliation, the fear, the frustration-all of it boi

Sarah's anger poured out, his sharp gaze fixed on her, unyielding. His stillness only fueled her frustration. How could he

trembling with both rage and fear. She hadn't intended to get into a c

ceptible smile. There was no anger in his expression, only a quiet amusement

lly said, his voice calm and measured. "From where I stan

her throat. There was something unnerving about his composure, something dangerous. The chaos of the club around t

ering. She pulled her wrist free from his grip and turne

his voice carrying through the din of the c

let some arrogant, rich man belittle her. Turning sl

ough gritted teeth. "I just don

across his features. "Jerks like me?" He chuckled sof

k. "I know your type. You think you c

es disappearing. He took a step closer, and though he didn't rais

ns," he said quietly. "They hav

e could feel the heat radiating off his body, the scent of his cologne-woodsy and sharp-mingling with the li

too. A challenge in his eyes that

p of men-loud, rowdy, and clearly intoxicated-burst through the doors, pushing past the bounce

he shoved the phone back into his pocket without answering. Sensing his momentary dist

amused him, the way she couldn't bear to stay in his presence. But before he

nd answered. "What?" he sna

Jasmine's voice w

t's wrong with you today? Let me remi

ine's voice dropped, tight with e

that single sentence. He stood there, unmoving, as the words sank in. His

Jasmine continued, her voice straine

is mind felt foggy, like the air had thickened around hi

dle of a party he had no business attending. It was lavish

less abandon under flickering lights, the scent of expensive perfume and liquor filling the a

nded his father's funeral. Instead, he was here, surrounded by la

s as a child that no one should witness-things that lingered like shadows in the corners of his mind. He

A voice broke t

grin too wide, approaching with open arms. "I wasn't expectin

unnatural. "This one I couldn't turn down,"

all nights was unusual. Nathan drifted through the crowd, drink in hand, forcing himself into small talk. His body moved through the motions, but his mind w

moment before turning the phone off, silencing her calls, silencing the part of his life that had any real

dness and generosity, was deeply felt. Mourners dressed in black gathered, their faces etc

ke a stone in her chest. Every missed call had only fueled her growing frustration, but here, amon

simmered. How could he abandon her like this? Abandon his father's funeral? She was left alone to face

s father's funeral was louder