I stopped, my breath catching, thinking maybe he would apologize. Maybe he would ask what was wrong. Maybe...

But he answered a call instead. "Lacey, yeah. I'll be there soon. Just wait for me."

I didn’t look back as I stepped outside, into the bitter morning air. But as I walked to my car, I heard the faintest echo from inside.

"Oh, is Alissa upset?" It was Lacey, her voice tinged with that fake sweetness, dripping with mock concern. "Maybe you should talk to her, Keaton."

I turned to see Keaton now standing next to her at the entrance of the house.

"No. Let her be," he said, his voice dismissive. "She didn’t want to come with me anyway."

I slipped behind the wheel, my hands trembling as I gripped the steering wheel. My vision blurred as I backed out of the driveway, but through the rearview mirror, I saw him standing by the front door, his phone still pressed to his ear as he answered another call.

This was it. I was done playing second to his dangerous games, his careless disregard, and Lacey’s coy smiles. I was leaving this world, this life, and him. Let him chase after Lacey. Let her be his world. But as I turned the corner, I caught one last glimpse of him, and for a second, it felt like he saw me.

But then he turned away, and I was gone.

I arrived at Gebbert Enterprises, Keaton's company, and the sight of the towering building made my stomach churn with a mix of anticipation and dread. I’d quit a great job a few months back just to be here. Keaton had insisted that I shouldn’t be working for another company when I could help him out at his own. So, I’d taken a position as an administrative assistant, one of the lowest ranks, hoping it would bring us closer. But it was becoming clear I might have misjudged everything.

When I reached his office, I hesitated at the door, hearing Lacey’s loud, bright laughter spilling through the crack. I pushed it open to find her perched on the edge of his desk, chatting animatedly. Keaton was laughing, a deep, hearty sound that made my chest tighten. Neither of them noticed me standing there.

I cleared my throat loudly, forcing them to look my way. Lacey's grin barely faltered, while Keaton’s laughter died down. He glanced at me, but there was no warmth in his eyes.