Hold

ld have been unbearable. I would have called, texted, left tearful voicemails, convinced that I had done something terribly wrong. Eventually, I would break, apologizing for things that weren' t my fault, just to have h

control me. But now, without love, t

he furniture, the art on the walls, the mismatched coffee mugs-it was all his. I had moved into his life, his space, and in the process, I had erased myself. I hadn' t boug

t a storage unit, I went to the office and formally submitted my resignatio

her eyes scanning my face. "Is everything al

onfused. "W

he New York office a few weeks ago. He said he was getting married and need

silent rush. New York. He w

r his fiancée, Bree Campbell. It' s such a shame to lose you, dear. With your talent, you should

ening finality. He had a plan. A whole future mapped out

work out, I' ll

cold, calculated strategy. He was going to give it one last shot with Br

n' t bother correcting Maria' s misun

e very happy," I sa

who was leaving. I went, wanting one last normal night before my life imploded. I had a c

-private alcove. I heard Ewing' s voice and froze

his New York transfer lined up, a golden opportunity. You s

always dreamed of working at the headquarters of Vanguard Innovations. Our firm partner

fter all this time? And you just ga

punch to the gut. "This is my chance. If she says yes, I' ll have everything I' ve ever wanted. And if sh

grounding me. He still thought I would be wa

e to the alcove, a triumphant smirk on

ne. And you know what they say about Vanguard' s CEO, Kasen Coleman? He' s the most e

see, Haven, some of us are winners, and some of us are... placeholders. But don' t wor

resist one final act of cruelty. As she turned to walk away,

t to catch herself, b

all with a sickening crack. Stars exploded behind m

utching her arm and wincing in fake pain, and then he saw me, leaning aga

n't he

ng into mine, and rushed to Bree' s si

nocent. "She pushed me, Ewing. I was just

d by pure, unadulterated fury. My head was pounding, the room w

s the face. The crack echoed in the narrow hallway. A smear of

his voice trembling with rage. "You'

himpering Bree behind him as if

ce dripping with venom. "And this time, I mean it. Don' t expec

ders, and guided her back into the restaurant, the d

y head a dull counterpoint to the hollow ache in my

was a

ir felt good on my face. My head hurt, and my heart felt bruised, but I knew,

w York. As the plane took off, leaving the lights of Denver scattered l

e had won. He had Bree, he had the job i

ea what he h