Chapter 2
Izzy froze, her body refusing to move as her mind tried to procs what she had just heard. That sound–it wasn’t from the music. It was real, coming from his bedroom. No, that can’t be right, she thought, a wave of disbelief washing over her. Maybe she was imagining things. Maybe the stress of the last few weeks was finally getting to her. Perhaps it was the stress of doing all those projects in a month,
It had to be in her head..
With careful, almost trembling steps, she made her way up the stairs. When she reached the top, the giggling was clearer. mixed with a low murmur of voices. Izzy’s heart sank as she heard Calen’s voice–soft, intimate, unmistakable.
She moved closer, her hand gripping the banister so hard her kickles turned white. Her pulse roared in her ears, but her movements were silent. The bedroom door was slightly ajar, and through the gap, she saw him.
Calen was there, lying in bed, his arms wrapped around another woman. She was laughing, her head resting on his chest. her hand tracing lazy circles on his skin. Izzy’s entire body went cold. She couldn’t breathe.
Izzy’s hand began to tremble uncontrollably, her fingers twitching at her side as she tried to force them into a fist. She clenched them tight, her nails digging into her palm. It was the only thing grounding her in the moment, the only way to stop herself from completely unraveling. Her eyes were locked on the scene in front of her, unable to believe what she was
seeing.
There, in Calen’s arms, was Monica. Her own cousin. The woman whose voice was now laced with that sickening sweetness Izzy recognized all too well. “Sending her away was the best decision ever” Monica cooed, her words like poison dripping into Izzy’s ears. “If Izzy had been here, she would have ruined everything tonight.”
Izzy’s stomach twisted violently at the sound of her name, bile rising in her throat. Ruin what? What the hell were they talking about?
“Monica, stop,” Calen muttered, his tone half–hearted, as if her words were nothing more than an inconvenience. He wasn’t pushing her away; he wasn’t angry. Izzy felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she realized that this wasn’t some drunken. mistake. Calen didn’t look drunk and so was her cousin.
Monica pouted, her fingers trailing slowly down Calen’s chest, lingering as if daring him to stop her. “Oh, don’t act like you’re not into this,” she teased. “Having two women after you must feel pretty good, huh?” She smirked, eyes glinting with mischief. “So, why not just admit it and pick one already?”
Before Calen could respond, Monica suddenly swung her leg over him, straddling his waist in one swift motion. She pinned him beneath her, her body pressed against his as she leaned in, her lips grazing his car. “I know Izzy can’t give you what I can, Monica whispered, her voice so low that Izzy barely caught. “You should choose me.”
Izzy’s heart shattered. She stood frozen, unable to move, watching as Monica kissed Calen’s neck, her lips trailing down his skin like she belonged there. However, Calen didn’t push her off. Nor did he say no.
“Monica, stop,” he repeated, but his hands rested on her hips, doing nothing to stop her. His voice lacked conviction, he was letting it happen. He was letting THIS happen.
Izzy’s chest tightened. She felt sick to her core. She had never imagined this, not in her worst nightmares. Tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision as they slipped down her cheeks. She didn’t make a sound. She couldn’t. Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling the sob that threatened to escape. Don’t make a sound, she told herself. Don’t let them know you’re here.
For what felt like forever, Izzy stood there, frozen in place, her mind spinning. She was on the verge of backing away, trying to process everything she’d just seen, when Monica’s voice broke through the silence again.
“I’m getting more wine,” Monica giggled, her voice light and playful, completely unbothered.
Izzy’s heart leapt into her throat. She’s coming this way. Panic shot through her, and she forced her body into motion. She couldn’t let Monica see her. She couldn’t deal with that confrontation–not now.
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13:10 Wed, Jan 1
Chapter 2
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Moving quickly but quietly, Izzy slipped down the hallway, heading for the nearest room. Calen’s office. Her footsteps were almost soundless as she reached the door and eased it open just enough to slip inside. She shut it gently, careful not to make any noise.
Her pulse thundered in her ears as she pressed herself against the wall, the cool wood grounding her, barely able to think straight. She held her breath, straining to hear the faint sounds from the bedroom. This room was completely soundproof. She could no longer hear them. Izzy closed her eyes, trying to control the panic rising inside her.
What now? She couldn’t leave, not without them noticing. She was trapped, hiding in Calen’s office like a stranger in the life she thought she knew.
Izzy knew she couldn’t stay hidden in the office forever. After a moment, her eyes swept the room, searching for anything that could help her figure out what to do next. Her gaze locked onto Calen’s laptop sitting on the desk.
She hesitated for just a second, then walked over to it, her hands trembling slightly as she opened it. She entered his password, one she knew all too well. It worked. Her fingers move quickly, navigating to the security camera feed for his apartment. As expected, the cameras were turned off. Of course she thought bitterly. Calen had probably shut them down to make sure there’d be no evidence of what was happening tonight. It was clear that this wasn’t the first time that the two spent some time inside this place. So, Calen must have also turned the camera off all those times.
Izzy shut the laptop and glanced around the room again. Then her eyes landed on the large curtain that concealed the door.
to the terrace.
Without wasting another second, she made her way to the terrace door, moving quickly and quietly. She couldn’t let herself be caught.
She slipped her hand behind the curtain, feeling for the handle of the terrace door. Her fingers fumbled for a moment, but finally, she found it and turned the knob, opening the door just enough to slide outside.
The cool night air hit her face as she stepped onto the terrace. It was small but enough for her to hide. The city lights twinkled far beneath her, but she barely registered the view. All she could think of was leaving this place.
Her back pressed against the cold wall as she closed the door behind her, just leaving a crack for her to hear if someone enters the door. She stayed completely still, trying to control her breathing as she thought of a way to leave this place.
As if on cue, she heard the sound of the office door opening. Her heart pounded, her whole body tensed as Calen’s voice echoed into the room.
SEND GIFT
