Page 135 of Angel

I tossed my clutch, award, and keys onto the counter in the kitchen, my feet aching, heart breaking, my stomach churning with more nausea.

As I made my way upstairs to my room, another chime echoed down the hallway, coming from the direction of Angel’s upstairs office.

It was the third time the notification sounded since I walked in.

I told myself to ignore it, as I pulled out a suitcase to start packing.

It rang again, and curiosity won out, pulling me down the hardwood corridor to the room next to his primary and to his desk.

His tablet rested beside a stack of album cover designs, its screen glowing in the dark room.

I tapped the display, half-expecting a passcode prompt, but the display unlocked.

WhatsApp sat open on the main screen, displaying a thread with a name that turned my blood to ice.

Evangeline.

The dates were fresh, timestamped from a few minutes earlier as I drove away from my sister and him.

Evangeline: I miss youuuu. So good to see you this week. Thanks for taking care of me, baby.

A heart emoji followed it. My throat closed up, the air refusing to reach my lungs as I stared at the final message.

Evangeline: When will you get rid of her so I have you back?

Angel left every single one of her notes on read, leaving no written reply beneath her text.

Still, it offered no comfort; his lack of a response was no absolution.

My nausea spiked, hitting so hard I had to grip the edge of the mahogany desk.

‘Fuck you, Angel,’ I whispered to the empty room, tears burning the corners of my eyes.

When I asked him about the calls and texts, he skirted the issue, never mentioning Evangeline’s return to Nashville, messing with my mind and fracturing my trust.

I’d seen enough, and with an inhale, I headed out of the room.

Vowing never to sleep another night in this house.

Chapter 26

ANGEL

Istood with Deacon in the backstage corridor of the gala venue, the muffled music from the ballroom orchestra emanating through the walls.

‘From the moment I met her, I promised Evangeline I’d never leave her alone,’ I said, rubbing the back of my neck.

‘Mate,’ Deacon drawled, leaning his tall frame against an equipment case. ‘Major promise.’

‘However, I was misguided, and now I’ve learned my lesson,’ I muttered. ‘She’s toxic, a hot dumpster fire.’

Deacon crossed his arms, waiting for the rest.

‘I was never in love with her,’ I confessed, the realization slamming into my chest. ‘I was obsessed. Just as she’s an addict to alcohol and substances, I was addicted to her. I’m now off her, going cold turkey. Never again.’

‘Good,’ Deacon said, his eyes drilling into mine. ‘Because you’ve got a queen at home.’

‘Never would have thought how much Roxy means to me,’ I growled. ‘It’s been challenging, though, letting her into my heart. Evangeline has also been a fuckin’ stress to deal with, so I neglected to give Roxy the attention or care she deserves these last few weeks.’