CHAPTER THIRTEEN
WYNTER
Holly shows me around her place, chatting away as she goes. It’s nice and I can tell she’s spent a lot of money making it feel that way. Everything is perfectly placed, like something out of a magazine, and she beams with pride as she opens the door to the spare room.
“And this,” she says, sweeping her hand inside, “is all yours.”
I step in and pause. The room is soft and feminine, all pale colours and fluffy cushions. It looks like somewhere a princess would sleep, reminding me of my own room back home.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” I ask for what has to be the tenth time.
Holly rolls her eyes but smiles. “Honestly, I’m glad of the company. It gets lonely around here. Joel comes over a lot, but it’s not the same as having girly company.”
I nod, setting my bag on the bed, still feeling like I don’t quite belong.
“I’ll make some tea,” she says. “You get settled and come find me when you’re done.”
When she leaves, the quiet settles around me. I sit on the edge of the bed and switch my phone on. A message from Catherine lights up the screen.
Catherine: He doesn’t mean it. He’s hurting.
I type out a quick reply.
Me: I’m okay. It’s for the best.
The lie sits heavy in my chest, but I send it anyway.
Holly is flicking through a magazine when I rejoin her after unpacking, her legs are tucked up on the sofa like she hasn’t a care in the world. I’m almost jealous for a second.
“I was thinking,” she says, glancing up, “we should get drunk.”
I manage a small, sad smile. “I don’t really feel like it.”
“Of course you don’t,” she says, tossing the magazine aside. “That’s exactly why we should. I’m calling some friends. We’ll have a proper night—music, drinks, the lot. You need cheering up.”
“I don’t think it’s appropriate,” I say quietly. “Not with Anika just . . .” My voice trails off.
Holly softens for a second before shaking her head. “Anika wouldn’t want you sitting around moping. She’d hate it. And she’d be raging at Ray for the way he treated you.”
I look away, fighting more tears.
“Besides,” Holly adds, her tone sharpening, “he clearly doesn’t give a crap, so why should you?”
I sigh, the fight draining out of me. She’s not going to drop it, and right now, I don’t have the energy to argue.
So, I stay quiet.
By nine, Holly’s flat is unrecognisable.
Music blares from a speaker somewhere in the corner, the bass thumping through the walls while people I’ve never met spill into every available space. There are bottles on every surface, half-filled glasses abandoned wherever someone last stood, and someone’s already dancing on a chair.
“I told you this would work!” Holly shouts over the music, thrusting a drink into my hand.
“I don’t even know half these people!” I shout back, staring as two girls argue over who’s putting the next song on.
“Exactly! Fresh faces, no judgement!” she grins, knocking her glass against mine before downing it in one.
I take a cautious sip. Then another.
And before I know it, I’m finishing the whole damn thing.
An hour later, I’m laughing, actually laughing, like proper, head-thrown-back, can’t-breathe laughing as Holly attempts to recreate some TikTok dance and nearly takes out a lamp.
“Oh my god, stop!” I gasp, clutching my stomach.
“You love it,” she yells, spinning again, this time fully crashing into the sofa. The room erupts into cheers and someone hands me another drink.
“Right,” Holly announces suddenly, climbing onto the coffee table. “Truth or dare!”
A chorus of cheers follows.
“No,” I laugh, shaking my head, “absolutely not.”
“Yes,” she points at me dramatically. “You’re playing.”
I groan but slide closer anyway, sinking down onto the rug with everyone else.
“Truth or dare?” asks a guy I think is called Marcus . . . or maybe Mason.
“Truth,” I say quickly.
“Boring!” someone shouts.
“Shut up,” I laugh.
He grins. “Okay . . . biggest regret?”
For a second, everything slows. Josh flashes through my mind. Then Ray. And then . . . Anika and the way everything fell apart. I give my head a slight shake, squeezing my eyes closed to block the images.
“I . . .” I swallow, forcing a smile. “I once cut my own fringe when I was thirteen. It was tragic.”
The group howls with laughter.
“Your turn,” someone says, nudging me.
I glance around, all eyes are on me, and I suddenly feel too hot. “Okay . . . you,” I point at Holly. “Truth or dare?”
She smirks. “Dare. Always dare.”
“Of course, it is,” I mutter. “Fine . . . I dare you to text Dale.”
Her eyes light up. “Oh, you evil little thing.” The group leans in. “What do I say?” she asks.
I grin, feeling reckless now. “Tell him you can’t stop thinking about that night.”
The room erupts again. Holly cackles as she types, then holds up her phone.
“Sent!”
“Oh my god,” someone shrieks.
“Wait . . . what if he replies?” I laugh.
Holly tosses her phone aside like it’s nothing. “Then I deal with it tomorrow.”
Later, the room blurs. The music is loud, the bass thumping through my brain like a hammer. There’s shrieking laughter that feels like it’s splitting my skull, but Holly isn’t going easy on me as she drags me to my feet to dance.
Someone spins me, and I almost fall. Holly catches me, and we both collapse into a heap on the floor, laughing like idiots.
“I needed this,” I admit breathlessly.
“I know,” she says, grinning.
But then it hits. Out of nowhere. A memory of Ray’s face as he lay beside me, his head propped up on his hand whilst his eyes scan my face with .
. . love? At least that’s what I thought at the time.
As if the universe wants to remind me, it’s cruelly replaced by the hatred he threw at me the night he was drunk in the casino.
The way he discarded me so easily, like I was nothing.
The laughter around me fades, like someone’s turned the volume down, and anxiety creeps in. “I’m just gonna get some air,” I mumble, pushing myself up.
Holly nods, distracted, already being dragged back into another round of something.
The hallway is quiet. It’s a relief, although the thudding in my head hasn’t lessoned.
I lean against the wall, closing my eyes. And suddenly, I can’t breathe. It’s as if someone is sucking the oxygen from around me. And then the tears come. Thick and fast. Unstoppable as they slide down my cheeks. I press my hand to my mouth to keep quiet, but it doesn’t stop the sob that escapes.
“I’m okay,” I whisper to myself. “I’m okay.” But it’s a lie I’ve told myself too many times now. I’m wise to it.
RAY
“I noticed Wynter was partying last night with Holly,” Dale says casually, scrolling through his phone. “Holly posted pictures.”
I don’t even look at him. “Why the fuck have you got social media?”
“Not under my name,” he replies, unfazed. “It’s useful. Good way to keep an eye on people.”
“Spy, you mean?”
He snorts. “How’s it spying when they post everything themselves?”
I finally glance over. “And why are you following Holly?”
Dale arches a brow. “You’re missing the point.” I already know what he’s going to say. “Wynter’s not sat around crying over you,” he adds, like he’s commenting on the weather.
I let out a slow breath, irritation creeping in. “Why would she be? And I wouldn’t expect her to give a shit about me or Anika for that matter. She was paid to do a job,” I pause, my jaw tightening, “which she did badly,” I add. “Now, she’s unemployed.”
Dale studies me for a second, like he’s deciding how far to push. “She was good at her job,” he says eventually. “Anika was happy. Sebastian adored her.” I don’t respond. “She even managed to tame you for a while,” he adds, a smirk tugging at his mouth.
“Shut the fuck up,” I snap, my voice sharp enough to cut. “And keep your head in the game.” Dale just leans back, unbothered, taking another sip of his drink.
The elevator dings and both our heads turn as the doors slide open. Luke Malone steps out like he owns the place.
“What the hell are you playing at?” Luke growls as he steps farther into the office.
I lean back in my chair and grin. “I thought I’d give you the details for Anika’s funeral. Yah know, in case you wanted to say goodbye.”
His expression darkens instantly. “She signed her assets over to you?” he snaps.
“You look upset,” Dale says mildly, not even glancing up. “Want some water?”
Luke’s eyes flick to him. “So you can poison it?”
Dale shrugs. “I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about.”
Luke lets out a harsh laugh. “I know what you did to the judge. Doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.”
“Careful, Malone,” I drawl, my tone lazy, but my eyes lock on his. “That’s a serious accusation.” I sit forward slightly. “Anika wanted me to protect her assets for Sebastian,” I continue. “They’ll be transferred into his name when he turns twenty-one.”
Luke’s jaw clenches. “Those assets are mine. I’m his father. Anika loved me.”
“No,” I say flatly. “She thought she did once. A long time ago. Before she realised what you are.” I hold his gaze for a second before continuing. “She made her wishes very clear. Her lawyer ensured she was of sound mind when she signed everything. There’s no confusion here.”
“You screwed me over,” he spits. “That money was meant to support Sebastian.”
“You’ve had seven years to prepare for that,” Dale cuts in calmly.
Luke ignores him, his focus snapping back to me.
“How is Sebastian?” I ask. “Have you told him?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“It is when I’m arranging the funeral,” I reply coolly. “I’ll send someone to collect him.”
Luke turns, stepping back into the elevator. Then he pauses, looking back over his shoulder. “You know she wanted to die, right?”
I stiffen, clenching my jaw as Dale fixes me with a warning glare. “Don’t rise to him,” he mutters under his breath.
But Luke isn’t done. “Funny thing is,” he adds, a cruel smirk pulling at his mouth, “you made it pretty fucking hard for anyone to get to her.”
The doors slide shut and I’m left with silence.
I rise to my feet and Dale watches me cautiously.