Page 20 (1/2)

"Hello, Connor How’s your trip going?" he asked

"Denny, Miss Lane will be arriving on a flight froht 282, and I need you to pick her up, then drive her back to her apart ok, Connor? You sound upset," he asked

"Miss Lane and I will not be seeing each other anymore, and I don’t want to discuss it I just left the hotel, and I’ back to New York Just make sure you pick her up from the airport and take her home"

"Very well, Connor I’ll be there to pick up Miss Lane"

"Denny," I said before he hung up

"Yes, Connor?"

"She’s probably going to need you to comfort her when she steps off the plane Please be there for her," I said

"No problem, Connor You know I’m very fond of Miss Lane"

I hung up the phone and pulled out of the hotel parking lot Mythe conversation with Kyle over and over I was blinded by rage when Ellery confir treats, but I’oing to tellwas off with her from the start, but I never dreamed her cancer came back I turnedI was trying so hard to hold it together because the last thing I needed was to fall apart I couldn’t stop thinking about her sitting on the floor and the look on her face when I yelled at her I couldn’t stop thinking about the fear in her eyes right before Kyle told me

She’s alone, but there was no way I could stay there with her What she did tohurtful I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive her Tears started to fall down lanced over and saw a field to the right I pulled over to the side of the road, got out of the Range Rover, and started running towards the field I felt a few raindrops hit my face I ran until I couldn’t run anymore I stopped in the middle of the field and screa I’ve never experienced before The sky opened up, and the rain ca down upon me as I dropped to my knees and sobbed My heart physically ached, and my chest felt like it had been punched I felt like ot up froe Rover I was soaked, cold, and I needed to change into so, and threw it on the front seat I clied out ofthat I used to dry off my body and hair After I put on some dry clothes, I climbed in the driver’s seat and took in a deep breath I needed to call Peyton to tell her what happened and find out if she knew Ellery was sick I called et Peyton’s number As soon as he called me back with it, I dialed her number as I pulled onto the road

"Hello," Peyton answered

"Peyton, its Connor Black, and I need to talk to you"

"Connor, is everything ok? Is Elle ok?" she asked in a panicked tone

"I have a question for you, and I want you to be honest withon?"

"Did you know that Ellery’s cancer came back?" There was silence on the other end

"No, Connor, I didn’t know that She never said a word tothe truth, and I hated that I was the one to tell her, but I needed her to be there for Ellery, so I had to explain what happened

"Kyle caan and told me that Ellery’s cancer is back He also said that she’s refusing to get treatment, and that’s why he left her, because he couldn’t sit there and watch her die"

"What a fking douchebag," she said "And what do you et treatain Peyton, I said soht back to Michigan for her, and I left her alone in the hotel roo my driver pick her up fro to need you when she gets there I need you to be with her and make sure she’s ok and safe"

"Connor, are you ok?" she asked

"I don’t know, Peyton I feel all fked up inside, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive her for keeping this froet that, but if you love her like I think you do, that’s ill get you through this"

"I have to go, Peyton Please just be there for Ellery"

"I will, Connor Don’t worry about her; I’ve got this"

I hung up and continued driving My head was pounding and the sting of tears still cloudedthat had happened How could I be the happiest person alive a day ago, but the h to New York The only stop I as

When I finally made it home, I stepped off the elevator and into the darkness of my penthouse It felt lonely because the last time I was here, Ellery was too I threw my keys on the table in the hallway and walked over to the bar I grabbed the bottle of scotch, a glass, and walked upstairs to lass and downed the first shot I needed the alcohol to stop the pain I got up from the bed and made my way to the bathroom I needed a shower I stepped inside and stood under the hot stream of water that ran down my body I was both physically and ainst the shoall and lowered my head I felt lost and never more alone in my life I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist As I walked into the bedrooht them so I could feel closer to her, but at that e of the bed and looked at my phone I was surprised that she didn’t try to call me I think after what I said to her and in the tone I said it, she was probably scared

I turned my phone off, because I didn’t want to be bothered by anyone I picked up the bottle of pills that Dr Peters gave me and decided to take one to help lass of scotch and downed it with the pill I got up, walked to my dresser, put on a pair of pajale tear fell down , I rolled over and openedat the erab htstand and turned it on I wasn’t supposed to be back froave strict instructions to Valerie not to bother ood hands with Phil, h Shit, I can’t deal with her, especially now

"Connor, I know you’re out of town, but I was hoping we could get together when you come back I need you so bad, and I et her out of town for a while I didn’t even want to hear her voice, let alone look at her