She was going to be sick.
Crystal’s words unraveled her. Fragments of thoughts and memories crashed over her—Bryce telling her she was the only one he’d ever brought to the loft. Their unresolved conversation about his past. The teasing. The flirting. The charm that came so easily to him. All of it now mingled with the vivid, ugly image Crystalhad painted.
Was their marriage just a game of cat and mouse? Once the thrill of the chase was over, would he still want her?
Beth sucked in a breath and pressed a trembling hand to her stomach as the fear settled heavily in her chest—
What if it was just a game to him?
Beth felt like she couldn’t breathe.
“Please move,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her sapphire eyes looked brighter than ever against the sudden pallor of her face.
Crystal just stood there and laughed—cold, cruel, and triumphant.
“She said move.”
The sharp edge of Tasha’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.
Tasha appeared out of nowhere, her eyes flashing as she stepped between them. Crystal’s smirk faltered.
Without another word, Tasha gently but firmly took Beth by the arm.
“Come on,” she said, her voice softer now, but still tight with anger.
“Bathroom,” Beth said tightly, barely holding it together. “Now.”
The second the door swung shut, tears blurred her vision. She ducked into the nearest stall and locked it behind her, collapsing onto the closed toilet lid, hands trembling against her face.
“Just breathe,” Tasha said softly from the other side of thestall. “That cat’s had her claws out since your wedding announcement.
Breathe, Beth.”
Beth tried.
But it was no use.
Her stomach twisted violently. She lunged toward the toilet, barely making it in time. The day had officially broken her.
Beth heard Tasha leave at one point, only to return as Beth was washing up. Tasha handed her a travel toothbrush set and some mascara.
“Oh, thank you.” Beth whispered with gratitude, her throat still raw.
“Gurl, that Crystal is petty and vindictive as all get out. Don’t let her get to you, you hear me?” At Beth’s nod, Tasha gave her a quick hug.
“I’ll cover rounds, you take all the time you need in here. When you leave, hold your head up high and don’t let that witch know she got to you.”
By the time Beth’s shift ended, she felt hollowed out.
The nausea had passed, but the ache in her chest remained. She hadn’t seen Crystal again after the bathroom, but the damage had already been done. Every whisper, every glance, every cruel word lingered in her mind like bruises she couldn’t cover.
Her eyes burned as she slipped into Bryce’s office and quietly shut the door behind her. She didn’t bother turning on the lights. The dimness suited her mood.
Crossing to the mirror on the wall, she looked at her reflection—flat scrub top, tired eyes, and a weariness she couldn’t scour away. She’d never been one to care much about makeup, but for the first time, Beth wondered if it might help. Could it soften the harshness in her face, or at least hide how close she was to falling apart?
She sat on the couch in the corner, curling her legs beneath her. Pulling a book from her bag, she opened it, but the words blurred on the page.
She just needed to breathe.
