Silence fell. I turned away, hugging myself. "We need a tow. We’re not going anywhere tonight."He nodded. "Get in the car. You’ll catch a cold."Richard POVI watched her from the motel lobby while I checked us in. She was outside, under the awning, arms wrapped around herself like armor. She was c
Amelia POVThe SUV’s wipers squeaked over the windshield, smearing rain into dirty streaks. I clutched the map in my lap, heart racing every time Richard's hand tightened on the wheel. He hadn't said more than five words to me since we left. I could hear the rain pounding the metal roof, drowning ou
"Oh, sure. Let's tell everyone we're stuck in a closet together. That'll kill the rumors."He winced. "They're already saying worse."I felt like he'd punched me. I pressed myself back against the shelf, trying to get any distance at all. His eyes dropped again before he jerked them up to my face. I
Amelia POVI sat with Emma in the little break area, nursing cheap coffee that tasted like dirt.She was reviewing notes on her tablet while I tried not to hunch in on myself.She glanced up. "You know the rumors about you and Richard are making the rounds in the office, right?"I set the coffee dow
I tugged at the black dress Emma handed me, trying to hide the way my hands shook. It felt like armor and a noose at the same time. She didn’t say anything about how I looked. Just handed it over and told me to be ready. When I pinned my hair back, I could see my face in the cracked mirror. Pale. Ti
A knock. I jumped. I wiped my face and opened the door a crack. Simon looked exhausted. Hollow."Amelia. Let me in."I moved back. He stepped in and closed the door. The silence between us was thick."You’re not okay," he said finally.I didn’t meet his eyes. "What do you want?""I want you to stop