"What manuscript?" I search his face for reason but all that's there is bitter rage.
"You're not getting out of this by playing the naïve card."
"I'm not playing any card!” I scream at him. "You're scaring me. I don't know what you're talking about. I swear, Nicholas."
"Let me make it crystal clear for you." He steps toward me, his hands bunched in fists. "Two people had access to that book I let you read while you were naked in my fucking bed. Those two people are you and me."
I nod. "I remember reading it."
"Do you remember fucking selling it to the highest bidder?" His voice is edged with sarcasm.
"Sell it? Why would I sell it?" I haven't touched the flash drive he gave me since I put it in my purse at his place. I've been too focused on creating the perfect dress for tonight.
"I don't know why you sold it." He brushes past me. "All I know is that the book made its debut on a streaming site this morning and my lawyer will see you in court."
"Court?" I twist around and grab his elbow to stop him." What does that mean?"
"You know what it means." He tugs his arm free. "I knew I couldn't trust you. You never once invited me to your apartment. That was the first red flag."
"I was nervous," I confess. "That's a big step for me."
"It's a fucking excuse. I knew the second I realized you put your hands on the note Briella wrote that this wouldn't end well for me. I should have listened to my gut. I wish to hell I would have."
I don't say a word. I stand in stunned silence as the man I love turns and walks away taking every single one of my dreams with him.
