Chapter 3

A crack of thunder split the air outside. I grabbed the sheets beneath me on instinct, my whole body shaking.

At the first rumble, Nolan was already on his feet and heading for the door. "It's storming. Becca doesn't know her way around here. I should go be with her."

Just as his hand reached the door, I threw myself at him and buried my face in his chest.

"Nolan, can you stay with me tonight? Just tonight, that's all I'm asking."

Years ago, Dad brought his mistress into our home. Mom jumped from the roof on a night just like this, thunder and pouring rain.

I was on my knees in the courtyard, watching her fall right in front of me. The rain was so heavy, but I could still see the red, bright and vivid, spreading across the ground.

Nolan's hand froze on the door handle. He rarely saw me like this. Even when we fought, I mostly just swallowed it down and cried quietly.

"Okay. I'll stay."

He looked down and noticed I wasn't wearing slippers, then let out a soft sigh. He slid one hand under my knees and carried me to the bed.

But a second later, his phone rang, and I recognized the ringtone he'd set for her.

"Nolan, why aren't you in your room? I'm so scared..."

"Don't be scared. I'm coming right now."

His sleeve brushed past my fingertips, and the door slammed shut behind him.

The storm didn't let up all night.

In the morning, a sharp knock came at my door. "Fiona, open up."

I dragged myself out of bed, my head still foggy. When I opened the door, a small part of me hoped he'd come because he was worried about me, that he'd rushed over first thing to make sure I was all right.

"I called you over ten times. Why didn't you pick up?

"I told you last night to go get breakfast for Becca. She's already awake and—"

The rest of his words died when he got a good look at my face, drained of all color. Something like guilt flickered across his expression, but it lasted less than a second.

Becca came down the hall, one hand braced against the wall, slightly hunched over. "Nolan, my stomach hurts."

He was at her side immediately, then turned to me. "Go get Becca some breakfast, and stop by a pharmacy for something for her stomach."

It was still raining outside, and none of us had an umbrella.

Becca shook her head lightly, trying to stop him. "Nolan, just order delivery."

His tone dropped, harder than usual. "In this weather, who knows how long that would take. It'll be faster if Fiona goes."

Guilt flickered across Becca's face, but she didn't argue.

I couldn't help thinking about the year after Mom died. I refused to talk to anyone and just sat in my room, staring at the walls. Becca was the one who showed up every few days with coffee and cakes, spending entire days sitting with me.

And back when I was helping Nolan build his company, I wore the same clothes until they fell apart and patched them back together. Becca gave me every cent of her savings and made Nolan swear he'd treat me right for the rest of his life.

I used to think I had everything, the perfect friendship and the perfect love. But somewhere along the way, I stopped being a priority to Nolan, and Becca became the only one who mattered to him.

Something bitter twisted in my chest, but I pushed it down. "Okay. I'll go now."

Compared to everything she'd done for me, I was just picking up breakfast and some medicine. Refusing would only make me look petty.

I bought an umbrella, but the rain was coming down so hard it barely helped. By the time I made it back to the hotel, my pants were soaked through and my stomach was cramping with a dull, heavy ache.

But the room was empty. They were already gone.