r 2: A

still for a minute, her body relaxed and warm from the weight of the silky sheets. The previou

xan

s spran

shocked by the discovery than she cared to acknowledge. She sat up and looked around the room, atte

ory hues illuminated by gentle morning light. Something richer a

it all a dream? But she was aware that it wasn't. Her body hurt in ways th

g out of bed. Her heels were positioned side by side under her dress, which wa

was no more than a whis

espo

ion. On it lay a single red rose and a folded letter. Her

e

as made memo

cross pat

A

ross paths again. It was the slick, mysterious, and

surances. It seemed like a narrative that wasn't hers to m

against the bed's edge. She didn't know what she

erself, "Get

er image in the mirror. Her hair was disheveled, her mascara was smeared, and wh

ease with which he had dismantled her, leaving

phone. The screen illuminated with a call from her clos

" Lena said in

the face of the planet. How did the gala go

ning to the plate with the

tful

head massage. "Let's say

a gasp. "Deta

as... intense." "We talk

Sophia

breath. "I stayed

"Lena! What have you done to my overly

answered, "I don't know." "It w

end his time? Is he a skilled liar weari

hat none of those inquiries had answers she knew.

rest evident in her tone. "Unknown. I li

age on the tray, "I'm not sure if I wi

ce became softer.

sn't sure whether she believed it

he doesn't call." Lena, you're great. Don't

ered, "Thanks." "All right,

ate more information the

o love

Surrounded by recollections of a guy who had no inte

ongings and walked out. The air was thick with questions she didn't w

hurrying by her without a second look, and the city was already bu

axi swerved through traffic. She was left to pick up the pi

was beginning to tell herself that Alexander was

sender's name, her breath caugh

: Check

dow and frowned. The sight

eyes fixed on hers. He seemed to have been waiting for her beca

y the time sh

, the mess

you cannot es

. It wasn't over