“I thought I’d bring us a guest back,” he continues, pulling the woman tighter into his side. “The bed’s big enough for three.”
The woman giggles, and my face burns with embarrassment.
“I told her you’re new to it,” he adds, his eyes glinting cruelly. “Inexperienced. She’s more than happy to show you a few things.”
Something inside me snaps. I narrow my eyes. “Fuck you.”
He laughs, glancing at the woman who follows his lead and laughs too.
My heart twists painfully, my face burning brighter with humiliation.
“I’m going to bed,” I say, holding his gaze. “Alone.” I take a breath. “And I’ll be gone in the morning.”
I turn to walk away, needing distance before I fall apart in front of all of them, but Ray grabs me. His fingers clamp around my arm and yank me back, my body jolting with the force.
“About time you took the hint,” he spits, his words slurred but sharp enough to cut. “I don’t think I’ve said two words to you since she died and still you hang around.”
My heart aches, like it’s being squeezed harder than my arm.
“I . . . you’re hurting me,” I whisper, my voice small, nothing like the strength I had a moment ago.
His gaze drops to where he’s holding me. For a second, something flickers. Then it’s gone.
“Come on, Ray, leave it,” Dale says, stepping in, his tone calm but firm as he pries Ray’s hand from my arm. “Sleep it off. Talk tomorrow.”
Ray mutters something under his breath, something I don’t quite catch, before turning away and storming towards the elevator.
Alone.The doors close behind him with a quiet finality.
Dale turns to the woman, dismissing her with a look. “Go home.” She doesn’t argue, shrugging as she turns on her heel and leaves.
And then it’s just us.
“Are you okay?” he asks, gently.
I shake my head, my vision blurring as the tears finally spill over. “I really liked him,” I admit, the words breaking on the way out.
Dale’s expression softens. “I know,” he says quietly. “I’m sorry.”
Catherine looks up from her newspaper as I drop my bag by the front door with a thud.
I didn’t sleep. Not really. I lay there staring at the ceiling until the sky turned yellow, then got up, packed my things, cleaned my room like I was erasing myself from it, and said goodbye to Anika.
That’s the part that nearly broke me. This place . . . it’s where I feel closest to her. And now, I’m leaving it behind.
“Off on holiday?” Catherine asks lightly, folding the paper in her lap with a small smile.
I let out a hollow laugh. “I think we both know I’m not needed here anymore.”
Her smile fades. “That’s not true, Wynter. He needs you now more than ever.”
“Does he?” I ask, my tone cold. “Because at three this morning, he was all over another woman, so I’m pretty sure he’s not feeling whatever this was meant to be.”
Catherine opens her mouth to respond.
“You’re not going anywhere.” Ray’s voice cuts through the room.
I turn slowly.