Chapter 2

2.

I wrapped my jacket tighter around myself. "Thank you, Sierra."

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced down and saw Bridget's name flashing on the screen.

I declined the call immediately, but she called right back.

With a heavy sigh, I finally answered.

"Jesse Edwards! Why the hell are you getting into another woman's car?!"

I rubbed my throbbing temples, utterly exhausted. "What else was I supposed to do? Freeze to death walking back?"

The gated community was far out on the edge of town.

For someone fresh out of surgery, walking back downtown in a blizzard would have taken until midnight.

Silence hung on the line for a few seconds before Bridget muttered defensively.

"You could have just asked me to drive you."

I let out a bitter laugh. "And leave Caleb all by himself?"

Almost the moment the words left my mouth, Caleb's voice carried through the receiver.

"Bridget, it looks like we are out of protection..."

Bridget panicked instantly. "Do not get the wrong idea! Caleb was talking about winter gloves! It is cold outside!"

My voice was completely flat. "Check the bottom drawer of the nightstand. There is an unopened box. Help yourselves."

Bridget exploded in humiliated rage. "Jesse! What kind of sick garbage are you implying?!"

I hung up on her, a dull ache throbbing in my chest.

A profound exhaustion washed over me, draining every ounce of energy from my soul.

I turned off my phone and closed my eyes.

Sierra let out a quiet sigh. "Some people truly never learn to appreciate what they have until it is gone."

I gave a self-deprecating smile and said nothing.

Over a decade of devotion and loyalty had bought me nothing but endless lies and betrayal.

I had taken a knife for her, yet she never even checked if I was breathing. Her entire world revolved around her cute little assistant.

What was left for me to say?

Sierra pulled up in front of the hotel. "Get some good rest. Call me if you need anything."

"Thank you, Sierra," I said, feeling a rare warmth touch my heart.

I dragged my aching body to the front desk, only to be told that the reservation had been canceled.

I scoffed, pulled out my own credit card, and booked a suite myself.