Page 77 of The Silver Fox Brother

Everything has changed in six hours. I grab my portfolio from the console table by the door, shove my feet into the flats I left there earlier.

Rowan follows me. "Winter, wait. Please. Just wait."

I open the front door.

"We can fix this," he says behind me. His voice is cracking now.

"I'll do anything. Just don't leave."

I turn to look at him one last time. He's standing in the middle of the living room in his sweatpants and t-shirt, hair disheveled from sleep and running his hands through it, face pale. He looks smaller than I've ever seen him.

"Goodbye, Rowan."

I step into the hallway, pull my suitcase after me, and close the door. The lock clicks with a finality that echoes in the silent hallway. I stand there for a moment, suitcase at my side, trying to breathe. Then I walk to the elevator and press the button. Behind me, I hear the apartment door open.

"Winter—"

The elevator arrives. The doors open. I step inside, pull my suitcase in after me. I look at Rowan standing in his doorway, one hand on the frame. The elevator doors close, and he's gone.

I ride down thirty floors in silence. The elevator is mirrored on all sides. I can see myself—hair in a messy braid, face blotchy and swollen, eyes red. Still wearing the sleep shirt I put on hours ago, flats on my feet, a suitcase and bags clutched around me.

I look destroyed.

The elevator reaches the lobby. The doors open. Daniel, the night doorman, looks up from his desk. His eyes widen when he sees me.

"Ms. Hayes? Are you—do you need a car?"

My voice comes out hoarse.

"Yes. Please."

He picks up the phone immediately, calls the car service the building keeps on retainer. I stand in the lobby with my suitcase, shaking. Can't stop shaking. My phone buzzes in my purse. I pull it out and see a text from Rowan.

Rowan: Please come back. We can work this out.

I stare at the message. Then I block his number. He has other numbers—work lines, office phones, ways to reach me if he really wants to. But right now, I need this.

Another text comes through. Different number.

Unknown: Winter, please. I'm sorry. Just talk to me.

I block that number too. Daniel hangs up the phone.

"Car will be here in ten minutes, Ms. Hayes."

"Thank you."

I sit on the bench near the entrance, suitcase beside me, and wait. Ten minutes feels like hours. The car finally pulls up outside. Daniel helps me load my suitcase into the trunk.

"Where to?" the driver asks.

I give him Kate's address in Park Slope. As the car pulls away from the building, I look back.

The Sterling Building rises thirty stories into the night sky. Lit windows scattered across the facade, the penthouse level dark now except for one light.

One year of my life in that building.

Gone.