burned into her thoughts. She pulled up at the city's park, hoping to bask in the cool evening air, but it did little to quell the storm raging within. Desperate for

lf outside a neon-lit bar. After a moment's hesitation, she pushed t

tail-Sex on the Beach, a drink that felt oddly appropriate given the circumstances. The alcohol

kept coming, and soon she found herself laughing, a sound foreign to her own ears. Then, a stranger joined her-a tall, dark-ha

to the heat of the moment. Their lips locked in a fervent kiss, and soon, they were in an elevator, then

he groaned, her head throbbing with the aftermath of too much alcohol. She forced her eyes open and was

ng, the kiss, but everything after was a blur. Panic set in as she scrambled to gather her clothes,

n her chest. She didn't look back as she fled the apartment, desperate t

on sinking in. She felt dirty, ashamed. How could she make such a drunk

get any better?

sed calls and text messages from her mom and Penelope. She clicked op

ll me q

central hospital,

fice. I couldn't handle things on my own. I am sorry. Your father has been admitted and it seems

sorry I couldn't tell you earlier. We

truggles, Olivia's betrayal-it was too much to bear. She sank onto a ne

number, and at the fir

re's been a call fo

ow, please tell me what

shares, but there was a loophole in the contract, so it's affect

tes. Inform the team I am coming."

aring blankly at the financial statements spread across the table. It felt like a dream. Her heart raced as she tried to pro

, said gently, breaking the suffocating silence. "If we don't secu

Jason. Let's reconvene tomorrow to discuss potenti

ressing down on her shoulders. It felt like the walls were closing in, the air growing thicker with ev

aling, giving her a small smile. She tried to assure

egina asked as they continue

, you do have to go shopping with Mr. Alexander Sterling. You were supposed to check out the new a

wanted to do was shop with someone who wasn't even sincere. The whole relationship suddenly felt like a cruel

fice but stopped and spun around. "On a second thought, please

ptid expression pulled on her prett

he replied. "I