Mom looks heartbroken. Dad’s face has turned to stone. Cassandra’s red with rage, Harley is already trying to cool her down. Jenna looks at me with quiet concern.
But Lizzie—God, Lizzie looks at me like... I can’t even describe it.
She looks shattered beyond repair.
I answer Orlando’s ninth call before facing the wrath of everyone else.
"What is it?" I snap, emotions swelling in my chest.
I already know why he’s calling. It’s the same reason everyone’s looking at me like that. But I need to hear it from him.
"Have you heard from Avery?" he asks, voice laced with concern.
"I—no. What’s going on, Orlando?"
"He’s been MIA since the press release dropped, and now I’m really fucking worried. I’ve got meetings back-to-back and can’t get to his place. Are you close?"
"What press release?" I ask the room, and the man on the other end of the line, but I focus on Lizzie. When my sister holds her phone up, my stomach drops.
My heart claws at my chest, trying to escape.
"I’m not far," I tell Orlando. "I’m on my way."
I end the call a heartbeat later, and I scramble to grab my things.
"Olive," Dad says, his voice a terrifying warning.
"It’s not true. I’ll explain everything another time, but I promise you, everything written on that screen is a lie."
"We’re coming with you." Mom grabs her hotel key, leaving no room for debate.
Dad, Cassandra, and Lizzie follow close behind, leaving Harley, Jenna, and a sleeping Willow in our wake.
I feel sick.
And not the kind I’ve been feeling for months.
No. This one’s sharper, deeper, like my world could collapse from one wrong word. One misstep.
One false accusation.
How could they?
How could theyinsinuateAvery would ever lay a hand on me?
How could they think the pictures from my fucking medication…
God, I need to throw up, take a nap, and wake up to find this was just a nasty, twisted nightmare.
But no, this is completely real.
My reality.
My life.
Ourlife.
"Are you going to tell us what’s going on, Olive? Because we’re about to get out of this car with Dad thinking another man has put his hands on his baby girl. We’re about to get out of this car with Mom a sobbing mess, no doubt thinking that she could’ve helped you—saved you—if you just told her. And I’m about to follow you inside to see for myself."
