searching for any emotion, any reaction. But he remains infuriatingly

t even loo

oice steady despite the storm raging within me. "You can't

sends a shiver down my spine. "There's nothing left to discuss,

o grace us with her presence again?" My tears that threaten

to reveal a tinge of aggravation. "Don't be melodramatic, A

ver knew I possessed. "Maybe I did," I confess, my voice trembl

ension. Then, with a sigh, Hudson rises from the cha

buy him a new bottle every Christmas. I cannot help but take

ouching mine. "If you want to have

s to come, "What do you

ny explanations, Aza," he quips in an icy tone. "But for the record, I

"You what?" I echo, struggli

hand. Forcing my eyes to meet his, he whispers, "You know a

e as he persists, "It was a busi

t I always believed Hudson loved me. I always trusted that he would never break his vows. Now, he is shattering the illusion of th

th a need to feel him. I rise on my tip toes and let my lips find his, desperate to close the dis

ful grip entangling my hair. He tugs my hair, pulling me away. Again

us mounting. His mouth is back on my lips, his tongue dancing in circles with

rate to feel his hands on my body, I kiss his neck. Out

ts up with a no

ty. I pull away from Hudson and

the space between. "I'm sorry, Aza," he m

rusted you, Hudson," I choke out. "I believed in us-

his voice emotionless. "I'll

I ask, but he only answ

and strides out of the

h the penthouse. I hear our door open

ng in to greet me, carrying away the remnants of his scotch

g stubbornly to my cheeks. With each inhale, I draw in renewed

glance at my watch. It's not too late, I realize-there's still time to catc

ers moving with purpose as I dial Laney's numbe

se of my life any longer. It's time to take back control, to forge my own

I read myself for th

our help," I say