It turned out that while I spent countless nights alone, he had been next door, satisfying himself with another woman.
After putting the box back, I ignored his assistant’s call and threw away those ridiculous raincoats and gloves. I didn’t stay any longer; I packed my things and left the house that had been my home for five years.
Just then, a message popped up from a bar owner I had worked with before. He said there was a masked-themed wine tasting that night, with new bottles to try, and invited me to join.
I slipped into the dress Max always hated, the one that showed my shoulders and collarbones. Letting my hair fall freely, the way he never liked, I stared at my reflection in the mirror and felt a strange lightness in my chest.
When I arrived at the bar, the first thing I saw was Paige arguing with a waiter. “The private room upstairs is empty! Why can’t I have it? I want that one!”
The waiter saw me, quickly bowed, and said helplessly, “Sorry, that room is reserved for Miss Chase; she’s our boss’s partner.”
Paige turned toward me, her eyes full of contempt. “Lila, I thought that fall from the cliff would finally wake you up.”