Chapter 4

Lewis's voice: "If she's happy, that's fine."

Daniel: "You're not worried Betty finds out? You just got her out of the facility. Don't go sending her right back."

Lewis: "She'll find out, she'll make a scene, she'll calm down. She always does. Gets old."

Flat. Matter-of-fact. Like clockwork.

Then Griffin — the one who'd said I was untrained. "Honestly, she seems better than before. At least she's not screaming and throwing things. Lewis, have you had a chance to… reconnect with her since she's been back?"

"Enough." Lewis's voice went cold.

Silence fell on the other side of the study door.

I sat on the couch, turning the pages of my book. My heart was still.

Daniel was the first to come out of the study. He walked over to the couch, looked me over, and let a slow smile spread across his face.

"Betty. You're looking a lot better. If you ever need company again — you know where to find me."

I said nothing.

He dropped down beside me. "I mean it. I still think about that night."

Griffin and Austin drifted out after him.

Austin's gaze landed on my waist. He grinned at Daniel. "She's thinner now. Wonder if the feel is the same."

Griffin snorted. "No wonder Lewis got bored. She just sits there with that blank face. Where's the fun in that."

Lewis came out last. He looked at me. "There's a party tonight. Get ready — you're coming with me. You're my fiancée. Understood?"

"What time does it end?" I asked.

He seemed confused by the question, but he answered. "Ten."

My flight was at eleven.

So I nodded. Agreed.

His three friends exchanged glances and smirked.

At the party, Lewis walked me around, introduced me to people.

Though introductions were barely necessary. The whole ugly story had made its rounds — everyone remembered the woman who'd gone crazy, slept with her fiancé's three friends, and been personally committed by the man she loved.

They smiled brightly at Lewis. When they looked at me, something else moved through their eyes. Pity, mostly.

I smiled politely and felt nothing.

"Lewis." Mia's sweet voice floated toward us.

She glided to his side like it was the most natural thing in the world, slipping her arm through his. "Thank you."

She shifted slightly as she said it, letting her neckline catch the light.

The seven-hundred-million-dollar necklace drew every eye in the room.

Lewis's expression didn't flicker. He even gave her a warm smile. "As long as you like it." Like I wasn't standing right there.

I felt a wave of nausea. I slipped my arm free from his. "I need to use the restroom."

Lewis leaned close to my ear. "If you want to make a scene, save it for home. Not here. Understand? Come back quickly."

I said yes, walked to the restroom, and threw up.

My head was spinning as I stood over the sink. A memory surfaced — nurses prying my mouth open in the facility, forcing medication down my throat to make me stop screaming.

At least now I wasn't going to lose it again. No more being held down, no more forced medication.

I left the restroom and passed by a terrace. Daniel and Griffin were there, leaning on the railing, smoking.

They saw me, and started talking.

Daniel blew a smoke ring. "Look at her. You think she's holding herself together? Probably eating herself up with jealousy right now."

Griffin laughed under his breath. "And Mia had to wear that necklace. Just asking for trouble. She's going to push the woman over the edge again and then act surprised."