FIFTY SEVEN

SAMANTHAI froze in the bathroom doorway like my soul had just left my body.“Sam…” Macey’s voice called out from the living room. “Why is my brother texting you?”My heart slammed against my ribs.Crap. Crap. Crap.I rushed out so fast I nearly tripped on the throw blanket. My eyes locked on my phone in her hand.Shit.“Gimme that,” I said, snatching it before she could scroll up and read anything worse.Macey raised her brows, obviously amused.I cleared my throat and forced a smile. “He’s just asking if you’re still coming to the game.”She blinked. “That’s it?”“Yeah.” I nodded way too fast. “He probably forgot you already said yes.”Macey rolled her eyes and dropped back onto the couch. “Ugh. He’s so dramatic. I told him earlier today. Twice.”I laughed. Kind of. “Yeah… he just wanted to be sure.”She grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest. “I didn’t even know he had your number.”Neither did I until we started sneaking around behind your back.I fumbled for something—anythi

Last Updated : 2025-05-17

FIFTY EIGHT

SAMANTHA“What the fuck?!”I froze.Naked. Breathless. My heart slammed so hard I thought it might actually stop.Mason jerked back, confusion flashing across his face—then panic.“Mace…” My voice cracked. “Oh my God… what are you doing here?”Her mouth opened. Shut. Then she laughed—a short, sharp, hysterical sound that made my skin crawl. “What am I doing here? What are you doing here? With my brother?”I scrambled off the bed so fast I nearly tripped. My nightgown was halfway across the room. I dove for it, heart thundering, face burning.“I—it’s not what you think—”“Really?” she snapped. “Because what I think is you’re sleeping with Mason. And what I’m seeing is you naked!”Mason ran a hand through his hair, eyes tight. “Macey—”“No. Don’t. Don’t even try.”“Mace, please just listen,” I begged, clutching the nightgown to my chest like it could somehow protect me from the wreckage.She looked at me like I’d stabbed her.“Was this a joke to you?” she asked, voice shaking. “All thos

Last Updated : 2025-05-18

FIFTY NINE

MASONHer name lit up my phone at 2:14 a.m.Audrey.I stared at the screen like it might disappear if I blinked hard enough.It didn’t.The glow from the display cast pale blue light across the room, soft enough not to wake Samantha.She was curled beside me, one bare leg tangled with mine, her cheek pressed against my shoulder. Breathing slowly. Steady. Her fingers lightly rested on my chest like she trusted me.Like I was someone worth trusting.God.I swallowed the knot in my throat and gently slid out from under her arm. She murmured something incoherent, then rolled over, clutching the sheet like she felt the shift even in sleep.My thumb hovered over the screen.I didn’t want to answer.But I did.“Hello?”There was a beat of silence. Then—“Mason?” Audrey’s voice came through, barely a whisper. She sounded small. Weak. Fragile in a way that didn’t feel like her.A chill ran down my spine.“I’m here,” I said.“I… I don’t feel okay.” Her voice cracked. “I’m shaking. My chest… I c

Last Updated : 2025-05-19

HI GUYS!!!

Dear Readers,There are moments when words fail to fully capture the depth of what one feels—and this is one of those moments for me. But I’m going to try, because if you’re reading this, it means you’ve stuck with me and my story through all its messy emotions, broken characters, passionate moments, and quiet heartbreaks. And for that, I owe you more than just a thank you, I owe you my heart.When I started writing this book, I had no idea it would turn into something so personal. So real. I didn’t expect the characters to bleed through the pages or for their pain and love to feel like mine. But what surprised me even more was you—yes, you, the person reading this now. You showed up. You stayed. You listened to my characters cry, fall, rise, and burn. You chose to invest your time, your emotions, your heart... and I can’t explain how much that means to me.Writing can be lonely. It’s just me, a blinking cursor, and an endless internal dialogue. But knowing you were on the other side

Last Updated : 2025-05-20

SIXTY

SAMANTHAThe knocking was loud. Too loud.I jolted upright, heart racing, head pounding.The room was dim—muted gray light spilling through the curtains. I blinked at the clock.11:20 a.m.I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. My eyes stung, dry and swollen from crying. I couldn’t remember when I’d finally passed out. Just that Mason was not here. I wonder when he left my side.But now, someone was banging on my door like they were trying to break it down.I cursed under my breath. “Who the hell is this bastard?”Dragging myself out of bed, I grabbed my robe off the chair and shoved my arms into it. My legs were wobbly. Everything hurt—like heartbreak had crawled into my bones and made itself at home.The knocking didn’t stop.“Hold on!” I yelled, voice hoarse. “I’m coming!”I reached the door, unlatched it, and yanked it open.And froze.Liam.My heart did something weird. Stopped. Tripped. Thumped back to life.Liam’s face was pale when I opened the door.No smirk. No teasing. Ju