a makeup artist followed him into the house,

at me. "We're going to the annual

lic, he had to maintain the illusion that I was his

wing gown, elegant jewelry, flawless ma

reached for the passenge

the back," h

at him,

t were the most normal thing in the world. "She

He knew that. He used to be the one to remind

lips. I opened the back doo

diant in a dress that complemented Drake's sui

id, her voice sweet as honey. "I was so scared last n

ow, intimate murmur. He reached over and gentl

t felt like a

s widening in feigned surprise. "Oh! Ms. Maynard, you're here

d firmly. "Stay

in, and a wave of nausea rose in my throat. In the front, Drake and K

ing prop. He would introduce me politely to his colleagues, and then immediately turn his full a

ote. She was

ere became too much. I excused myself, e

to breathe past the knot of pain in my chest. When I finally went b

I s

into his arms. Her face was flushed, he

ugh as he whispered something in her ear. "It

chest. I followed them,

vator, his steps urgent. I watched as

card to open a hotel room d

aving me standing alone i