nd slid into the cramped backseat. She br

expensive dress, the shivering shoulders, and the pale face.

led out of the underground garage and merged into

at. The tension drained from her muscles, leaving behin

t up in her hand. A loud ping

was a text message

chance against Hayleigh. Give it up, Coralie

to the gut. Her breath hitched. Her fingers tighte

rred into streaks of color. But Coralie didn't see them. Her

getting ready, wearing a custom gown, standing pro

he ballroom. She wore a simple white d

hed softly and sw

nstantly. It was a physical rejec

dreds of the city's elite, he caught Hayleigh in

hysical sensation of the whispers and the pitying stares from t

Hayleigh out of the gala, leaving Coralie c

through her chest

f her eyes. She tilted her head back against the headrest, forc

at Arnett's text. A cold, self-d

flew across

sh can. I wish them a li

a beat, she tapped Arnett's

ror. He silently grabbed a box of tissues from

ok the tissue, wiped her dry eyes, and

s of her weakness and her pathetic hope bur

io. Coralie's heartbeat finally s

up to the massive wrought-iron gates o

lded cage she h

e through the app, a

the biting wind. Her steps were steady an

e gravel, she counted down the