" I spat, the words laced with sarcasm.

re still

him off, my voice s

arm as I reached the store door. I ya

ntained emotion. I left him standing there and climbed into my car, my hear

the storm inside. Taking a deep breath, I s

m, desperate for solitude. I collapsed onto the bed and let

me from outside the door. I quickly s

said, forcing my voi

took another deep breath, forcing myself to face the m

I mumbled, and wen

went to the kitchen, searching for somethin

she asked, the sound of music

sked, my voice sounding d

nt before answering. "Ye

ed at t

her usual "party mode." I shook my head, a mixture of exasperation and c

oor. The garage door was still open when I got the location

where's Trisha?" I asked a woman I recognized from past gatherings, who was sitting a

she confirmed, and I nodded. "Thanks!"

heard someone shout Trisha's name. I rushed to the back door and saw her

sked the woman who w

plied, and I nodded. "Ca

Trisha into my car. As I slammed the d

in the backseat. "She can't handle her liquor," I muttered, s

Jared's number. Just then, Trisha's phone rang. I got her

tight. There was a moment of

yr

a. She's pretty

nce. I will get here. Where shoul

Tell me where you are, a

ne. "Are you sure?" he asked, but

eplied firmly an

neighborhood since leaving a month ago. I started the engine, my heart started pounding with every turn o

ting outside. A man was beside him, and I recognized him instantly

voice filled with regret. I just

me, so I came," I said,

closed the door behind him. I just watched them leave.

aid, a smirk playing on his lips. I me

as I tried to close it. I gl

e?" he asked, his voice laced with

s with you, Mr. Villafuerte," I

ing them behind. I could see Laxus watching me go, his gaze lingering as I drove away. I k

ation of our separation, but his actions scr

hen I finally arrived home, exhausted. I reached for t

e was warm, laced with concern. I smil

late," I said, hoping my forced cheerf

self away. I'm going for a run, you should get some rest,"

mumbled, retrea

me. I shrugged off my jacket and collapsed onto the bed, fee

e bathroom, the steam from the shower a welcome respite. As I dr

read the papers, my gaze lingering on the signature line at the bottom. I gr

awer. My wedding ring lay nestled inside, a silent reminder of a lov

ced," I whispered, clearing

y room and found T

e asked, his voice

asked, stopping

here," he said, his tone brooki

have th

we can get out of this country peacefully," he cut

ng back to my room. I h

as taking me. He was already waiting in the living r

remained silent. We reached the gara

, but my mind was a blank slate. He pulled up in front

in, my voice laced with frustr

nsisted, trying to pry

," he finally said. I near

med, turning to leave. He grabbed

id, pulling me tow

axus sitting at a table. He was alone, but the moment

u again!" he said,

ng here?" I demanded, my v

a low rumble. My gaze snapped to him, disbelief

to talk to him," I said, backing away. Tyler

reached the sidewalk. I flung open the door and slid inside, slamming it shut before Tyler

past. The cab pulled up in front of a well-known club, and I paid the driver. I needed a dri

answered, her voic

sked, my voice a little shaky. There wa

time you want," she said. A

ab a drink first," I

rrived, and I started drinking, my thoughts swirling. "Tyler

before it could pull up, a black SUV stopped in front of me.

e laced with annoyance. The SUV moved again, st

t. He walked towards me, his eyes holding a stran

he said, and then ev

. "How did I get here?" I wondered, looking around

ice a whisper. He opened his

ow?" he asked, r

ed, holding up a hand to

e laced with a hint of amusement. I tried to piece to

?" I asked, my voice a mixture of c

gned them. I'll just grab them and leave,

my mind racing. Maybe