za

, mirroring the hollow ache in my chest. This place, once a sanctuary, now felt like a tomb.

. The book he'd recommended, still on my nightstand. The coffee mug I'd bought because it reminded me of his

mug, the photo, and carried them to the kitchen sink. With trembling hands, I doused them in lighter fluid. A match. A flicker of flame. The paper curled, the pla

y craft, to my company, to anything that would distract me from the gaping wound in my soul. I was on set from dawn till dusk

of Hollywood, out of this city, out of this life they had all conspired to de

d my brightest, most dazzling smile. The media raved about my renewed energy, my "untamed spir

ther. I almost ignored it, but the memory of t

oice was tight with irritation. "You need to come home. It's Kaylee's

y nose. "Mom, I'm in the middle of

be there. All the McCarthys will be there. It's crucial for Kaylee's reputation, for

ng me. "The one who orchestrated my humiliati

a, your father and I will reconsider our... financial arrangements. You know how important appearances are

ey always found a way to use money, power, and emotional blackmail to control me.

't be late. And wear something appropriate. No more of those s

like a puppet, my strings being tugged by unsee

rves, showcasing my figure without being overtly revealing. Diamond earrings glittered at my ears. My

rand entrance. Whispers followed me like a shadow. I ignored them all, my gaze fixed on a distant poi

uaintances, deflecting questions about my personal life. My eyes, however, searched for o

. The cool night air beckoned. Just as I reached the threshold, a familiar sound sto

aylee. His arms were wrapped around her, pulling her close. Her head rested against his chest. As I watched, he tilted her chin up, his dark

sionate. A dagger twisting in my gut. He didn't just kiss

," he murmured, his voice a soft caress, utterly devoid of the clini

me close. He had always been so careful with his words, so guarded with his emotions. I had told myself it was his

yself he was. He was just unavailable to me. I had been so desperate for a reason, for a flaw in him, that I had overlooked the most obvi

al. I turned, blindly pushing through the ballroom crowds, desperate to

the emerald necklace! It suits her so much more than it ever suited Aliza. And the trust fund, of course, thanks to your father's foresight, is all hers now. W

ail in the coffin. Not only had she seen me humiliated, not only had she chosen Kaylee o

had felt before. My heart, already shattered, hardened, turning

ctuary. I pushed open the door, only to find it completely transformed. My posters were gone, replaced by Kaylee's pastel art. My books, my troph

umph. "I hope you don't mind. I thought you wouldn't be needing this room anymore, since you're never home. And it's so much closer to Etienne's study, you know. Much more con

ity. My room. My last sanctuary. Inva

of taking what's mine. My family. My grandfather's legacy. My sense of peace. And now, my room." I stepped closer, my eyes locking