ANMELDENIt 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
Noah.I stay outside long after Sierra’s footsteps fade down the path. The swing creaks under me as I push it back and forth, my jaw tight, her words clawing at me.Manipulative and a liar.The word scrapes raw across my chest, cutting me down over and over again until my soul feels like nothing but
NoahThe bar feels empty the moment they step out, leaving the stale hum of conversation and the clink of glasses behind.Gunner leans against the bar. “What was that, Noah? You were an asshole.”“I wasn’t,” I reply coolly. “I was being honest.”“That wasn’t honesty… that was a tactical aim to cause
By the time we finish eating, I’m leaning back in my chair, one hand on my stomach, the other covering my mouth as a satisfied sigh slips out. Lilly wipes her mouth with a napkin, eyes twinkling mischievously like she’s already up to something.“So,” she says casually, tossing her napkin onto her em
Noah steps in, his long frame filling the doorway, commanding the space even without trying. Gunner follows right behind him, calm and collected. The total opposite of his friend.My chest tightens immediately. My stomach twisting not from the fizz in my glass, but from the sight of him. Every insti







