Chapter 2

The penthouse I shared with Kason felt alien. Since Hazel had moved in a month ago, after a "minor kitchen fire" at her own place, the space had been slowly colonized by her things. Her floral-print cushions clashed with my minimalist decor. Her cheap, sweet perfume clung to the air, erasing my favorite sandalwood scent.

Kason had indulged her every whim. He' d told me she was family, that she was grieving, that we had to be patient. I had tried. But tonight, that patience had shattered.

The wound from the ceremony was still fresh, a raw, gaping hole in my chest. I wanted to smash something, to scream, but I just sank onto the sofa, exhausted.

I mindlessly scrolled through my phone, trying to distract myself. A new post from Hazel popped up. It was a picture of her wrist, adorned with a new, diamond-encrusted watch. The caption read: "A little celebration gift to myself! 😉 #blessed #newbeginnings"

I recognized the watch. It was a limited edition piece I' d pointed out to Kason weeks ago. He had said it was beautiful but ridiculously overpriced.

Behind her wrist, a man' s hand rested on the table. The cuff of his dark suit, the glint of his own familiar watch-it was Kason.

A bitter taste filled my mouth. I remembered my own birthday last month. He' d forgotten until the last minute and had his assistant send over a generic bouquet of flowers.

I saw the little heart icon under Hazel's post. Kason Hanson had liked it.

My thumb hovered over the screen. Then I shut it off, a single, hot tear rolling down my cheek.

It was past midnight when I heard them at the door. They were laughing, stumbling into the foyer. Both of them were drunk.

"Clara, get Hazel a glass of water," Kason called out, his voice slurred as he helped her onto the sofa.

I didn't move. I just sat in the dark, watching them.

"She's not moving," Hazel slurred, pointing a lazy finger at me. "Is she broken?"

I got up and walked toward my bedroom, unwilling to engage.

"Don't mind her," I heard Hazel whisper loudly. "Come here, Kason."

I paused at my door, my back to them.

"Kason..." Her voice was a soft, cloying murmur. "You're so good to me."

Then I heard the sound of a kiss. A wet, sloppy sound that made my stomach turn.

I froze, listening.

"You know," Hazel giggled, "you're so much better than your brother ever was."

I waited for Kason to push her away, to tell her she was drunk, that she was crossing a line.

But he didn't.

Instead, I heard the rustle of clothing, his low groan.

My hand flew to my mouth to stifle a gasp. I turned slowly, my eyes widening in disbelief at the scene on the sofa. He was kissing her back, his hands tangled in her hair.

My elbow knocked a vase off the side table. It shattered on the marble floor.

The sound shocked them apart. Kason looked up, his eyes wide and panicked when he saw me.

"Clara... it's not what it looks like. We were just..."

"Don't," I whispered, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me."

He had started to walk toward me, but my words stopped him.

Suddenly, Hazel made a retching sound. "Kason, I think I'm gonna be sick."

His attention snapped back to her instantly. He rushed to her side, all concern and worry.

"It's okay, I've got you. Let's get you to the bathroom."

He guided her away, his arm wrapped protectively around her, leaving me standing alone in the wreckage of my life. I watched him go, remembering all the times he had held me with that same gentleness.

It was all a lie. Our love, our future, all of it.

I wiped the tears from my face with the back of my hand. My movements were calm, deliberate. A strange sense of clarity washed over me.

This was the end.

I walked into my study, not my bedroom. I picked up the phone and dialed my agent.

"Clara? It's late. Is everything okay?"

"I'm quitting," I said, my voice flat. "Cancel my upcoming projects. All of them."

"What? Clara, what are you talking about? You're at the top of your game!"

"I'm done," I repeated. "I'm leaving the country. I need a change."

I was tired of this city, of this life, of the man who had promised me the world and then given it to someone else.