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Alex had sounded…

Almost angry at the thought of me leaving.

But that can’t be right.

The entryway fills with servers carrying in the next course, the aroma of fresh pasta and herbs drifting through the dining room, but I’ve suddenly lost my appetite. I carefully remove my napkin from my lap and place it beside my plate before pushing back my chair and slipping away from the table.

I find the set of stairs we passed earlier and wrap my fingers around the mahogany banister, cautiously taking each step up. At the top, I’m about to turn left when movement catches my eye. Alex is quietly closing Clara’s door behind him, and when he turns around, his steps falter at the sight of me.

He doesn’t say anything, so I do. “How is she?”

He lets out a breath, running his fingers through his hair. “Out like a light.” One corner of his mouth lifts.

“Good.” I smile, wrapping my fingers around my forearm.

We both stand in silence.

Neither of us knows what to say.

Maybe because there’s too much to say.

I swallow down my nerves. “Did I…” My voice falters. “Do something to upset you?”

At the same moment, Alex says, “We should head back downstairs.” He studies me for a heartbeat before taking a cautious step closer. “You didn’t do anything to upset me.”

My eyes drift down. “It just seemed like maybe I did.”

His footsteps close the remaining distance until all I can see are polished black dress shoes.

“Charlotte,” he says in a gentle tone.

I glance up, our eyes meeting.

“You could never upset me.”

I still, my eyes involuntarily blurring.

You’ve upset me again, Charlotte. Always such a disappointment.

Before I can make it stop, Garrett’s voice echoes in my head.

You know what happens when you make me mad.

I can’t breathe, my heart pounding harder.

All you are is a hole to fuck. Nothing more than a worthless slut.

“Charlotte?”

Alex’s voice cuts through my memories, bringing me back to the here and now.

“Where did you just go?” he asks, concern written across his face.

I blink back the tears clouding my vision as fast as I can, but it’s too late; he sees them.

Worry shadows his features, and his hand slowly lifts to my face. I close my eyes and stand as still as a statue, waiting for the harsh impact of his palm against my cheek.

But what happens next leaves me…confused.