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“I didn’t ruin anything! You were the one who forced me to come to this farce of a wedding!”
“Because Geoffrey’s parents wanted to make sure that I could back up my words. That all that stupidity had been put behind you and Emily. They thought the wayward daughter returning would be a good starting point for the series. Bringing her back into the fold.”
“And you thought I would just go along with it!”
“You should have! If you hadn’t lured Geoffrey back to you. If you hadn’t ruined it by bringing that tattooed cowboy to the wedding when Marcus was willing to date you.”
“Wow, willing to date me. I should have been so grateful. You’re delusional.”
“That show was going to make me famous. And now, I’ve fallen into bed with Frank for no reason. I needed the extra cash to help fund my show. Now it’s all gone, the Kensingtons, the TV executives, Geoffrey’s parents.”
“It will be okay, dear,” her mother said, coming over to rub his shoulder.
Shoot. She’d forgotten the other woman was there.
“This isn’t my fault. I didn’t do a thing to make Geoffrey call off the wedding. That’s between him and Emily. And it’s not my fault you lost your TV show. I don’t know what the deal with Frank is, but this is all on you, Chandler. Keep your money. I’m out of here.”
She didn’t know how she’d survive without that money, but she wasn’t willing to beg him. Or sell her soul.
Chandler scowled at her and her mom didn’t do a thing. She just kept looking down at her feet.
Moving to her mom, she stood in front of her. “I love you, Mom. But I think it would be best if you didn’t call me for a while. If you loved me, you wouldn’t have let him use me like this.” Tears streamed down her face as she walked away.
It’s for the best.
This is what you have to do.
They’re toxic.
She was almost at the front door when she heard the scream. Something smashed against a door, and she jumped, turning back to come face-to-face with her worst nightmare.
The smack against her face had her head ringing. Another blow landed. Then another. It took her a moment to get her bearings and understand what was happening. When she did, she managed to shove her attacker back with a surprising surge of strength. For a moment, she just stared down at her tormentor in shock.
She turned and with hands that shook, she managed to open the door. She raced off, not listening to the curses being screamed at her as she headed down the driveway toward the road. When she reached the road, she paused to breathe. She stared over her shoulder, but no one was following her.
Shit.
Hell.
Her heart raced, and she leaned over and vomited. She hadn’t had any breakfast, and she’d barely eaten yesterday.
Her head spun as she stood up straight. She reached out for something to steady herself and leaned against a tree.
She’d planned on asking Lawrence to drive her back to Freestown, but there was no way she could return to the house now.
Shit. What was she going to do? All she had on her was twenty dollars and a dead phone.
No one in this town would likely help her. And she didn’t trust them not to call Chandler to report on her.
It wouldn’t be the first time that had happened.
She stumbled down the street. She needed to get out of there. If she kept her head down and just kept going, maybe she could make it out of there without anyone stopping her.
Chandler lived in an older mansion that had been in his family for generations. Thankfully, it was on the outskirts of the town, at the top of a hill so he could look over everyone else. Okay, he hadn’t built the place, but she was sure he liked that part of it.
As soon as she hit the main road heading in and out of the town, her energy started to wane.
She was out.
She was free.
The only problem was, she was exhausted and sore. Her adrenaline rush was wearing off, making her aware of every ache and bruise. Her head thumped, and she would kill for a glass of water.
Nausea bubbled in her stomach. She glanced around. No cars. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.
As the sun rose, it started getting hotter, and she knew she wasn’t going to make it much further. There was a large tree up ahead and she stumbled toward it. Falling to her knees, she slumped over.
She wasn’t going any further. Sliding onto her back, she closed her eyes.
She’d just stay here for a while and rest.
Then she’d figure out what the hell she was going to do.
25
Damn, she was cold.
A shiver ran through her.
