BY'

ain. I sat on the edge of my hotel bed, staring at the TV that I'd muted hours ago, fiddlin

ly one I hadn't even spoken to. ESPECIALLY one who looked so dangerous. Yet his bright blue

uzzed on the nightstand. I lunged for it,

ed out, forcing

hing us last night." Her voice was teasing

back against the headboard. "The club

. "You practically ran out

said quickly.

way, I didn't call to interrogate you. I have news! There's a masquerade ba

l?" I repeated, r

need. Come on, Ruby. You're from one of the most prestigious families in Chicago.

the nightstand. A quiet night sounded more appealing,

ed, rolling my e

Wear something fabulous."

rought with me. My fingers landed on a sleek black gown with a plunging neckline and sheer

***

nceton. I arrived in my sleek black car, stepping out onto the red carpet with practiced ease. T

usiastically. Her curly black hair was styled into an e

ing," she said, pulli

ed, gesturing to her

nks," Ariana said with a wink be

rowing a warm glow over the sea of masked attendees. I hea

for him? The thought annoyed me, but I couldn't help it. I didn't see Dominic, b

legant, but I was already growing bored. My mind drifted to the next excus

't this a

urled into a smug smile. She wore a glittering re

he same bed with my husband? I couldn't believe t

t, Julia?" I ask

beside me. "I mean, it's not every day I see my man

spreading across my face. "Ex-wife? That's rich coming from the woman who had to s

recovered quickly. "At least Ga

riel wasn't bored, he was desperate

ng the tension. Julia's lips thinned, and for a moment, I

about your family? Or did Daddy finally cut you off before

flute to hold myself back. "What

ed. "Oh, yo

loor. Without another word, I walked away, needin

deep breaths to steady myself. I turned on the faucet and splashed cold wa

llect myself, I heard

t instead of the smugness or even anger that I was ex

ee

she after

spat, slowly walking toward me. "Always ac

n't have tim

head and shoving me toward the sink. My face hit the col

FUCK?!"

fill the basin with water. Water splashed every

ssed. "Your father's

t her grip. "I.... don't know....

!" she snarled,

screamed. "Fuckin

forced my head down into the sink full of water. I thrashed and clawed a

roar of the running faucet. "Tell me now, or

ged and sputtered, my lungs burning for air. My hands scrabbled a

er voice shrill and furious. "Te

ing to the sensation of suffocating, the icy gri

arms began to weaken as my strength drained awa

friends, the life I still want

faded, the bathroom door slamm

onto the floor, coughing and gasping for breath. My vision swam as I wiped wa

oorway, his blue eyes burning wit

ren't on me. Th

U THINK YOU'RE DOING