Chapter 3

3.

Seeing Carter standing right in front of me caught me off guard. Without a word, I gripped my suitcase handle and tried to step past him.

His brow furrowed instantly, and he grabbed my wrist. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"

His grip pressed right against the raised, itchy hives on my skin. Wincing in pain, I shoved his hand away.

Carter blinked in surprise, clearly annoyed by my sudden resistance. "Justine, what is wrong with you?"

Before I could answer, his eyes landed on my luggage, and he scoffed. "Are you seriously doing the whole running-away-from-home routine?"

"All of this over one damn song? Are you ever going to drop it?"

I looked at him, my battered heart throbbing with a dull ache. "Carter, we're done. Let's break up."

Carter loosened his silk tie with an irritated yank, dragging me back inside the apartment and slamming the door behind us. His throat bobbed painfully as he swallowed.

He had undergone throat surgery years ago, and ever since, I had always prepared a fresh pitcher of honey lemon water in the fridge whenever he came home from a tour.

His eyes caught sight of the filled glass jar on the kitchen counter, and his demeanor softened slightly. "Justine, we've been together for so long. Don't you know who I am?"

"Melody literally begged me for help with her relaunch. She respects you as an older sister. Can you please just stop creating drama?"

A wave of exhaustion crashed over me, leaving me too tired to argue. "Whatever is going on between you and Melody has nothing to do with me anymore."

Carter rubbed his temples, letting out a heavy sigh. "Justine, our parents are flying into the city next week to meet. If you throw a fit now, how are we supposed to explain this to them?"

I froze, suddenly remembering the family dinner scheduled for next week.

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