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
I’m still vibrating with anger when I reach the hallway. Anger at Brook’s lies, at myself, at Chloe for dying, and at the whole fucking situation. I’m so angry it almost feels suffocating.That first time, I thought that maybe it was a one-time thing. I thought that maybe it was the shock of finding
I should be used to it. After all, I’ve heard those words said to me so many times. Even Noah himself has said them to me, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting. It still fucking hurts like a bitch to hear them. “He belongs to Chloe—” “Stop,” I say, venom curdling into my throat. “Don’t use her a
Without another word, Lilly grabs her phone and dials. I can hear the faint ring, then Noah’s voice low, calm and controlled.“Where are you?” she asks.“In my study,” he replies.My head snaps up. He’s here? He’s been here this whole time? I didn’t even know he was home. He didn’t text, didn’t knoc
Her mouth opens, but no words come. Shock floods her face and for once, she doesn’t know what to say.“Noah,” she breathes, voice trembling. “You’re actually defending her?”“I’m telling you to stop,” I say, my tone low but steady. “I will not tolerate any more lies, Brook. And I won’t let you disre







