We sit together until the sun dips lower into the horizon and finally disappears. Until the room darkens and the only light comes from the monitors beside the bed.
“You should go home,” I say finally. “Get some rest. Tomorrow’s going to be long and stressful.”
“So should you.”
“I will. I just want a few more minutes with him.”
She stands. Presses a kiss to my forehead. Then leans over and kisses Dad’s cheek, whispering something I can’t hear.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” she says. “We’ll get through this. Together. The way we always do.”
“I know.”
She leaves, and the door clicks shut behind her.
I turn back to my father and take his hand in mine.
“I don’t know if you can hear me,” I say in a low voice. “But I need you to wake up. Not tomorrow because I know that’s not how this works. But soon. Please.”
The machines beep. He still doesn’t move. His eyelids don’t flutter.
“I’m getting married tomorrow. To a man I barely know. Because of a contract you signed without telling me.” My voice cracks. “I’m so angry at you. I’m so scared. And I really, really need my dad right now.”
Nothing.
I wipe my eyes and stand up, sniffling.
“I’ll come back after it’s done,” I say. “I’ll tell you how it went. Maybe yell at you some more.”
I lean down, grazing his forehead with my lips. “I love you, Dad. Even when I hate you.”
I walk out of the room without looking back.
Tomorrow, everything changes.
CHAPTER 8
LOCHLAN
I shouldn’t be here.
It’s almost nine o’clock. The office building was mostly dark when I looked up at it from the sidewalk below. There were just a few lights scattered across the upper floors. The security guard at the front desk gave me a suspicious look when I walked inside, but the name Molloy opens doors. Even doors that should stay closed.
I spent the last three hours at the gym, trying to beat the restlessness out of my body. It didn’t do shit. Then I drove around the city for another hour, telling myself I was just clearing my head.
I ended up here.
The elevator takes me up to the tenth floor.Herfloor.
I don’t know why I came here, tonight of all nights. I tried to convince myself it was to go over last-minute details for the wedding and make sure she hadn’t changed her mind.
The truth is simpler. And more pathetic.
I just wanted to see her.
The reception area is empty. The overhead lights dimmed. But there’s a glow coming from the corner office at the end of the hall.
I walk down the hallway, my footsteps echoing on the marble floor. The walls are lined with awards, magazine covers, and framed articles. A shrine to everything she’s built, all of her successes. Everything she’s accomplished without anyone’s help.
