AllFreeNovel
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I’m so gullible.
The twenty-five million dollars are the only thing keeping him tied to another month and a half of pretending. His commitment is unwavering for his project—not for me.
I’ve been kidding myself.
He never pursued me in the three years we’ve known each other. Why would two weeks change that?
I truly have no idea how to read him. Sedona, and everything I felt there, must’ve been a long dream. My stomach sours at the plethora of memories replaying behind my lids.
Yesterday, in that paint studio, Matthew made me feel complete. I’m pretty sure he felt it too.Felt how perfectly we fit together.
Didn’t he?
Ugh.I need to cry. My palms drag over my cheeks. No, wait—I’m already crying.Great. I almost feel sorry for myself. The pain in my chest is becoming unbearable, causing each of my muscles to strain.
Being brave and fighting for my parents’ approval is my best chance at freedom, but I barely have it in me to keep trying.
I roll off the windowsill and push my legs through the downstairs.
How am I going to keep it together at work?Matthew and I are going to see each other daily, except I’ll come home every night and be alone again.
I miss him terribly.
Did I remember to pack his pajamas?
Three suitcase explosions later, I find Matthew’s clothes.
To a stranger, these would be nothing special. A white Calvin Klein tee and a pair of gray shorts.
But they’re my most prized possession.
I hurry to my bedroom, ready to wash off the stress of the past couple of weeks and throw on Matthew’s things before hiding in bed.
The moment I get upstairs, I smell it. Pungent, sweet, and musky.
I push open my door. The vases of orchid bouquets shake my senses. The white and dainty petals sit in droves on my desk, my nightstand, and my vanity.
Are these from Matthew?
No way. Not after everything that’s happened. Besides, he would never get me white flowers. He knows me better than that.
The arrangements are replicas of the flowers at my many wedding events.
I pluck open a small envelope attached to one of the vases.
Since you're back in the city, come see me.
- Lance
The text is printed on thick cardstock with a small flower medallion stamped onto the back. A logo I’ve seen many times in my life. My mother’s favorite florist in the city.
My chest caves in, and my spine curves forward. The weight of the world is too heavy to bear. A grief-choked wail escapes my lips, echoing through the empty house.
I want to burn it down.
This is my mother’s doing. She must have told him I was coming back.
Lance never purchased me gifts. He didn’t even make this much of an effort when we were engaged.
