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With the kiss co to an end, I brush her black hair out of the way and then grab her chin betweenher to look atpainful because she winces in pain

“If you ever speak of her like that again, I won’t be responsible for o of her face and watch her fall backward on the bed

“Wait, Ronan, don’t go! I’m so sorry I didn’t mean…”

I finish getting dressed inback Riding the elevator, I lean on the wall and closeme emotionally exhausted

I knew you two didn’t belong together the moment I saw her

Ana’s words haunt ht Maybe I was just too blind to see it

Or maybe I created someone in my head that never existed in the first place

I wait for Lawrence to get in the Rolls Royce before I close the door behind me and make my way to the driver’s seat

“Where would you like to go, sir? Back to the office?” I ask, staring at him in the rearview mirror

He ansithout raising his gaze, his eyes focused on a file that’s opened on his lap “Actually, no Take me to East 34th Street”

Shock courses through isters his words I clearso it will beco It can’t be

Lawrence looks up and our eyes connect “Yes, that’s correct”

Stunned, I nod quietly as I tightenwheel and watch ot it, sir”

As I’ where Lawrence spent , I’m overpowered by such dread that it’s hard to focus on the road My chest feels e it hard to breathe