Jennin

nded on the living room. I felt like a prisoner on

ht. He leaned down, his voice a low, urgent hiss in my ear. "Wh

nd empty. I didn't have the strength to answer.

er, the doorbell chimed agai

er makeup soft and ethereal. She looked like

p, her lower lip trembling as if she wer

Eleanor, she rush

her manicured fingers digging into my skin. "Oh, God, I a

s. Across the room, I saw E

ay, but her grip was surp

aid mechanically. I just w

"It is my fault! It's all my fault! I never should have recommended

ressure she's been under, Chase. The wedding, the De Beers campaign

on. She was seemingly defending me, while painting a

jitters. I'm familiar. When some women get anxious, th

he narrative. This was no longer an accident. T

oked from Karis's crying face to Elea

xture of confusion and... consideration. He was actually

believe I had mutilated my own hands than belie

each word precise and laced wit

uelest blow of all. "Clare, please don't be like th

e, and I recoiled instincti

flinching was just more e

dy the 'devastated' Karis. His voice was sharp with reprimand.

. The image of them together, him protecting

, her shoulders shaking with silen

I co

f her hair and the mask of her fake tears

hant, unapologeti

that said, *I

It was all over. Not m

s