challenge before she l

. "So let' s see. Let' s give him a month. No contact from you. Let' s see who

tupid, hopeful part

shift, telling me, "Just a little longer, Scarlett. Once I' m back on my feet, I'

ll bag and went to stay with a friend, my

expected a call.

th

a constant, sour taste in my mout

hing off for him. I saw him through the window. He was laughing with his family, lookin

n' t she?" Ethan sighed,

me. My heart did a

hia Thorne is hot. You' re lucky s

vate, satisfied smile. He wasn' t looking at a p

rs he brought me were Sophia' s favorites. The restaurants he took me to on my birthday were pla

ed to cry. I just accepted i

friend' s apartment, watching the local news.

et, his arm wrapped tightly around Sophia'

o long! And now you' re back with the beautiful

ing for the right time. And for the right woman." He pulled her i

. It was Ethan. He must have seen the broadcast and realiz

face. Too little, too late. He could spin his lies to the wo

I' m so sorry. But I need you. The main photographer for

can' t,"

ase. Just get the shots and leave. Yo

y professional face, grabbed my came

the edges of the room, my camera a shield. I tried to focus

d something in Ethan' s ear, a cruel smile on her face.

loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. "Still trying to c

e went down the front of my simple black dress. G

de with fake innocence. "This is a vintage

uffocating. I turned and fled, pushing through the crowd, desperat

ch my breath, when I heard their voices

y necessary, Sop

inded of her place, da

ainst the railing, the city lights twinkling behind them. He looked at her with an int

ike the performative peck on the red carpet, but with a deep, consuming passion th

ed back for a second. A flicker of

lett," he mumbled a

d have grabbed it. But the new me, the one forged in humilia

ed to the devotion in his kiss. I was an

seen e