tchen with Keira beside her, rubbing sleep

he one that dug its way into her chest and refused to let her rest. And just when she'd f

I'm hu

es with bleary eyes while Keira sat cross-legged on the marble k

n, blinking har

ramatic frown as her stomach gave a loud growl. She clutched it and mad

"Well, tell your tummy food's al

stretch as she walked into the kitchen, still in her robe, holding two steamy mugs

a grateful smile, settling the co

and laughing. Keira was already mid-rant about

r fork at the bunny perched beside her plate. "Because she's d

on her chest. "I feel so ho

t and genuine. Watching Cindy and Kiera go back and forth was lik

st. "Now that you're finally here for good, have you

king online. But the good ones...." She hesit

ut she's brilliant. Sh

rly chewed her lip. "But I'm going to do

ed me." Cindy smiled. "And besides, once you

I ho

rty tonight. My dad's friend's son - big bash. He's insisting I show face, and I really

n eyebrow. "To a party?

mon, you need to get out. You've had a r

ndy

ted dramatically. "

up like It's a prom night.

is. And don't worry about Ki

•••

hat Eve

uzzed with soft jazz and clinking glasses, and waiters could be seen moving around

ng her drink slowly and scanni

per rich," she mutte

"My dad rolls with old-money types now. J

mured. "You're not wearing the same

e. "Hey, that's Mr. Bernard. I'll be right ba

wait for you here." Ki

ecked her cheek

er eyes with the beautiful decorations as she sipped her drink, lo

ment she saw a tall figure in suite, who looked familiar, standing acr

omach

Harr

iou

s her

he eve

ybe he did. That man was a walking reminde

like a shadow that was

y turned and slipped away, needing

p, just few feet away from the party ground.

me to this party. But Cindy wo

elbow on the railing. But she

t disappearing

her. Low, familiar, and still lace

l sure be th

ting to sta

er here, which only meant he actua

hinking she had man

"And you're good at following, Mr

able under the soft rooftop lights. H

ouble tailored

ou," he said. "But it's

rowned. "E

d even closer. You left. No

uld he just stop tal

call the 'past'? Like, le

round the railing as she sp

id quietly before he

mething, but closed it. Nothing cam

now. "For something. Anything. But you v

s chest t

was this

Bryce

rly pause whatever he wanted to say, just st

my name like you're sorry

eechless. His words clawin

oo close, the city lights

shakily, shutting her eyes. She could feel his w

ulled out a folded wad of cash. "The two hundred

open in utterly disbe

at

just do th

t morning, she had actually dropped him a cash o

new she was never going to see him again. But she felt go

e other side jobs I do." He said as a matter of fact. And before K

elt s

her here? To return her money to her

going to attend this party,

n who was acting all

ocess what had just happened, but he suddenly stopped on his tra

low voice, looking at Kimberly ove

oney in her hand, then returned her gaze to his back. She deci

d to be there. I was escaping something. Everyth

" Bryce said. "You ran

admitted. "Bu

at?" Bry

G

ing? Why the unnecessa

or you and told you everything,

old me that would've?" Bryce tu

away, gripping the edge of the railin

it,

time....biggest opportunity you

now, th

dged in her thro

r child." Kimberly hesitantly whisp

ze, realizing what sh

flying to her mouth. Shi

thudding loudly in her chest as if about to b

e dropped the bomb, she

Br

ove. Not ev