PTE

n out canvas bag Michael had brought with him when he first moved his life into her beautiful apartment. It bulged slightly with

n the eye. Instead, her gaze hovered somewhere near the collar of

was flat, entirely devoid of the warmth or gentle familiarity. I lo

ill settle for a

I am? Do you think a po

s throat earlier. He tried to take a single step forward, but the guards instantly tightened their grip, driving his shoulder

were too busy chasing ghost businesses and Jobs and trying to prove something to a fa

ng through his chest like jagged glass. "Everything I put into that startup, eve

ded with a dull, pathetic sound. "Look at yourself, Michael. You're twenty-five years old, completely broke, disowned by your father, and standing in a rental apartment

was calmly swirling the remaining dark red wine in his glass, taking a s

with a deliberate, natural alignment. "He offers a life where I don't have to check my bank balance before buying basic groceries. He off

han any physical blow f

, holding his hands and telling him they would make it through the hard

rmur that barely carried over the steady drumming of the rain outside. Everything we built. Was

nizing moment. She reached out and lig

ice dropping to a whisper that cut deeper than any blade. "But love doesn't pa

wine glass down on the counter with a sharp click. "I think

eously and shoved him forward. Michael stumbled, blood rushed back into his numb fingers,

the floor. He just stared at Vanessa, watching her tur

building again, my men won't just hold you against a wall, I think they will cut off your neck if you're seen around here

ing, he quietly moved out, each step heavy and unsteadied by the violent rage coiling inside his chest. T

doned by the woman he loved, and stripped of every

ther, Damien, Vanessa... I will build an empire on their ashes, and they will crawl through the mud begging for my mmercy Standing alone