CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN: BETTER HURT NOW THAN LATER.ZOEY———The champagne burned down my throat as I took a slow sip, eyes glued to the entrance. Still no sign of Christian.It had been over ten minutes since I’d come back inside. He should’ve followed me ages ago, but the doorway stayed stubbornly Christian-free.I took another sip, then snagged a bite-sized canapé from a passing tray. I bit into it, letting the sweetness distract me… and trying very hard not to replay our third hookup in my head.Especially not the part where he had me bent over his car in the parking lot.Yeah, that memory wasn’t helping. My thighs pressed together instinctively, trying to soothe the faint soreness between them.“Having a great night, Miss Anderson?”I turned to see Sage Reginald beside me, champagne in hand, wearing that small, unreadable smile. His sharp, intense eyes locked onto mine like they’d been doing all night.“Yeah. Sure.” I lied with a tight smile, looking forward again.“That’s good.” H
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX: UNTIL SHE FORGETS HIMCHRISTIAN———The moment Zoey’s mouth closed around me, tight and warm, it was like my soul got ripped straight out of my body.Her eyes stayed locked on mine, unblinking, daring. She started slow with just the tip, testing me, tasting me like she was deciding how much she could handle. Her tongue traced the ridge under me, then flicked over the head again slowly, like she knew exactly what that would do to me.A rough breath tore out of me, my jaw clenching. My hand found her hair, wrapping it loosely around my fist, keeping her right where I wanted her.“What?” I asked, my voice thick, swallowing hard. I smirked down at her. “Scared to take it all like last time?”She didn’t answer. Just gave me that infuriating little smirk. And then, without warning, she opened wider, pushing herself down over me. She could only take half my length, but the way she did it, so hungrily. Unafraid. It made more heat coil low in my stomach.Her head began to
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE: TO KILL AND RESURRECTZOEY———“Sick bitch.” Chuck stared at me wide eyed as if I’d just sprouted two devil horns. His palm held the cheek I’d just slapped. I just stared back, chest rising and falling, fists shaking at my sides.“You just can’t pass up a chance to humiliate me, can you?”He scoffed, dropped his hand from his cheek, and stepped closer. His eyes, bloodshot and mean, locked on mine.“You’ve really grown some nerve, haven’t you? Think just because Christian invited you here, you can hit me and talk to me however you want?”Before I could see it coming, his hand shot out and clamped around my wrist. His fingers dug so deep it felt like they were trying to find bone.I bit the inside of my cheek hard enough to taste blood, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a flinch. But the tear sliding down my face betrayed me. I stared back at the cold stranger in front of me. The man I’d once loved was gone, replaced by this evil, malicious being wearing hi
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: ONCE UPON A BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORYZOEYChapter soundtrack: Wildflower-Billie Eilish.———When I first met Chuck, I was a clueless freshman trying not to get lost on my first day of college. He swooped in like some tall, charming Google Maps, helped me find my class, and even introduced me to my course mates. I figured that was it, our little meet-cute was over. But nope. Halfway through the semester, fate (and Camille) dragged me to a friend’s birthday party, and there he was again—Chuck, the human GPS, this time with a drink in hand.That night, he made me feel comfortable in a room full of strangers. We talked about everything. Movies, music. And discovered we had the same taste in both. We also realized we shared the same Hollywood dream. He wanted to be a big-shot producer or director, and I wanted to be an actress. Somewhere between the music and the party lights, he kissed me. My first kiss. It felt like someone had turned on the fireworks display just for
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE: QUIZZING ZOEYZOEY———“What are you doing here? How did you even get past security?” Chuck’s eyes blinked rapidly in disbelief. He glanced at Mr. Gallo, looking as though I’d just walked in wearing a dragon costume. “Did you invite her?”“Yes. I did.” Mr. Gallo replied calmly, which only deepened Chuck’s shock.“What?” Chuck’s voice cracked in disbelief.Quietly, Mr. Gallo walked past Chuck and stopped beside me. “If you’ll excuse us, I’d like to introduce Miss Anderson to some people.” He said, holding out his hand toward me.I gave Chuck one look before taking Mr. Gallo’s hand. He led me away. It felt a great ton of relief that the whole situation didn’t escalate the way I’d feared. Mr. Gallo had handled it so well.“You look beautiful tonight, Miss Anderson.” He said quietly, his voice low enough for only me to hear.The compliment hit me like a warm flush across my cheeks. I forced myself to keep my cool, focusing instead on the swirl of glittering gowns,
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO: GOOD LUCK, BAD LUCKCHRISTIAN———“Mr. Gallo. A pleasure to see you. It’s been forever. When did you return to the country?”Thomas Bezos, a producer from another studio, strolled up to me, hand outstretched, a smile on his face.“Just a few weeks ago. Have you been well?” I returned the smile, but my attention kept drifting toward the entrance of the hall.Why wasn’t she here yet?Even after Thomas walked away and more guests came to greet me, my gaze stayed fixed on that doorway. The red carpet was nearly over, the hall almost full. She should’ve been here by now.Or had she decided not to come?The thought curled in my mind like smoke. It wouldn’t be impossible—my invitation had been last-minute, almost careless. And after our little intimate moment at the boutique, maybe she was still avoiding me?My eyes moved over the crowd again. Dazzling expensive outfits, excited faces, champagne glasses clinking. But no sign of her.I exhaled slowly, pressing my lips toge