Then another message.
Me
There was an emergency at the studio. I’ll explain when you get here.
It’s not enough.
I know it’s not enough. But it’s all I’ve got right now.
I glance at her door one more time.
And something in my chest pulls. Hard.
Like I’m already making a mistake. Like I’m walking away from something I shouldn’t.
But I do it anyway.
Because this is my world.
Chaos. Problems. Things that need handling.
And I don’t get to pretend otherwise.
Not even for her. Not even after last night.
I head for the elevator.
Jaw tight. Mind already shifting into control mode.
But one thought lingers.
Sharp. Persistent. Dangerous.
She’s still in bed.
And whether she knows it yet or not—walking away from her?
That’s not something I’m going to get good at.
Not even a little.
And I’m gonna make sure she knows it.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hilary
I wake up alone.
And for a second—just one tiny moment really—I don’t understand why.
The bed is still warm. The sheets are tangled around my legs.
My body aches in that deep, lingering way that says last night wasn’t a dream.
But he’s gone. David isn’t here.
No note.