LOGINIt glints softly and as I run my thumb over it, it grounds me. Tethers me to the present and reminds me that I am not alone.The panic doesn’t disappear, but it eases just enough for me to breathe again. Just because they’re suing me doesn’t mean my life or my career is over. It feels catastrophic,
SIERRAI’m sitting on the couch, laptop open in front of me, pretending to read through research articles, but I can’t get my mind to focus. At this point I think I won’t be able to focus on anything until everything is cleared.The company hasn’t sent their lawyers, but I know it’s not a matter of
Just thinking about it makes bile rise in my throat.Slowly, I reach into the drawer and pull out Chloe’s diary. I need something solid. Something real. Something to anchor me.My fingers tremble slightly as I flip it open and turn the page.[We all used to hang out even though it wasn't often, but
She freezes, just for a second, before her face smooths out. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”I advance on her slowly. “So you’re going to play stupid?”“I really don’t know…”“Jocelyn.”I say the name and watch her closely… Then I see it. The widening of her eyes and the split-second panic
For a second, everything freezes. My hand tightens around the car door handle, my feet rooted to the ground.“Mr. Wood?” Blaze’s voice pulls me out of the paralysis.“Are you sure?” I ask.“Yes,” he replies. “I ran through security footage. They’ve been meeting at least twice a week.”I inhale slowl
“If I remember correctly,” she says coolly, “you stopped me.”“That’s because I didn’t want us to sleep together before I officially made you mine,” I reply. “And before I could do that, you told me to get out.”She scoffs. “What did you expect? You basically rejected me and even after that, I gave
For a while, Lilly and I just sit there, both lost in our thoughts. Outside, a bird chirps, startling me a little.Lilly finally exhales, running her fingers through her hair. “You know, Sierra,” she says softly, “you can keep saying you’re over him, but I don’t think you are.”I groan quietly, lean
“I swear, that’s all I know,” the guy rasps again and the sound of his voice is beginning to grate on every fucking nerve I have left.Lilly stands, arms crossed, eyes blazing. “You’ve already said that. Tell us something that’s actually useful.”He flinches, his gaze darting between us, his fear ha
The card is heavier than I expect when I pick it up, or maybe it’s just my overthinking brain. My fingers are trembling from a tremor that roots itself in the base of my skull and spreads out like a warning. I push the other cards aside with the heel of my palm as if I can shove the unease away.
I swallow hard, trying to force down the chaos twisting in my chest.“Just stay,” I murmur, the words rougher than I intend. “Okay?”She lets out a hollow, humorless laugh that slices straight through me. “Why should I, Noah?” Her voice shakes, but not from fear—from being done. “None of this is hea







