Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 31 - Chapitre 39

Chapter 31 – Don't call me Allison sat up on the edge of the sofa, her hair falling over her shoulders, and looked down at the floor. She didn't know when she fell asleep but she knew her eyes would be completely swollen because of all the crying. The melted candles from the night before had dripped wax on the side table, hardening into ugly white lumps. A scattering of red rose petals lay bruised and trampled near the entryway, right where Matt had kicked his boots off before he stormed out.She stared at the mess with her throat tight. She wasn't just sickened because Matt had slammed the door in her face. She was terrified because she knew exactly why she had uttered Ryan's name in the middle of their argument.The truth was a cold, jagged thing sitting in her chest. For two years, she had built her whole life on a foundation of comparison. Every restaurant Matt took her to, every gift he bought, every time he brushed his fingers through her hair—she had secretly weighed it with

Chapter 33- dealThe hotel lobby was beautiful, with dark marble floors and soft, warm lighting. Emma walked past the grand piano and noticed a few small shops leading toward a side entrance. She figured getting some fresh air would do her good, so she stepped outside to the quiet, covered sidewalk."Emma?"Emma froze, turning toward the voice. Standing near a small flower stand was a woman in a tailored trench coat, clutching a tote bag ."Maya?" Emma gasped, her eyes widening in pure shock.It was her old college roommate, whom she hadn't seen since moving away two years ago. The two of them let out simultaneous squeals, throwing their arms around each other in a sudden, breathless hug right there on the sidewalk."I can't believe it's you!" Maya cried, pulling back to look at her. "What are you doing in New York?""I'm... here with someone for work," Emma began, but as she raised her hand to push a stray lock of hair back, the sunlight caught the diamond on her left ring finger.M

Chapter 35 – On Thin IceEmma walked fast, a little too fast trying to reach Maya, who was standing under a flickering light near the end of the corridor. But no matter how fast her legs moved, the carpet seemed to drag her back. Behind her, the heavy thud of footsteps echoed. She wasn't even sure how she got hereShe turned around. The man from earlier was there, he was raising his hand toward her face. Emma tried to raise her arms to block him. She tried to scream, to push back, to do anything at all. But her limbs felt heavy, she was utterly frozen.Her eyes snapped open.Emma sat straight up on the mattress, her breath coming in fast, ragged hitches. . Her skin was and her fingers clutching tightly at the duvet.She glanced instinctively to her left. The pillow barrier was still intact, but the white sheets on the other side of the bed were neatly pulled back. Ryan wasn't there and her heart was beating like she tried to exercise again. She saw a note on the bedside table.

Chapter 37 – Game NightThe black car dropped Emma off at a private entrance of Madison Square Garden. Three men in nice suits were waiting for her.The moment Emma walked inside, everything felt different from the cold and quiet rink she had been at the day before.Loud music shook the floor. The air smelled like popcorn and beer. People filled the halls, most of them wearing red and blue jerseys. Cameras were everywhere, and the photographers kept taking pictures.One of the men led Emma upstairs to a fancy private box. It had big glass windows that gave her a clear view of the ice. There were soft chairs, tables full of food, and plenty of space.Emma walked over to the railing and looked down.There were so many people.She had never seen anything like it.Then she started to understand just how big Ryan's life really was. All those people had come to see him play. They were there to cheer for him, but they also expected him to win. Emma watched the ice quietly. He sent someone to

Chapter 39 – The Perfect VictimAllison stood in the center of the living room, her chest heaving as she stared at the leftover ruin of the night before. She woke up expecting Matt to be there apologizing so they could work things out but still he was no were to be found.She suddenly reached across the dining table and knocked the tall glass vase onto the floor. It crashed against the wood, breaking into many small pieces as water spilled all over the expensive rug. She grabbed the white roses, pulled them apart, and threw the torn petals into the trash. Then she kicked the sofa cushions onto the floor. She grabbed the framed pictures from the side tables and threw them against the wall until the glass broke and fell around the chairs. She hated Matt for leaving. She hated Ryan for refusing to stay broken. She hated Emma for stepping so easily into the life that was supposed to be hers. But most of all, she hated the person she saw in the mirror by the door. Her face was red and me