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He looks up at me, his jaw slack. “I don’t understand. I thought you were renegotiating?” He flips to the back page and shakes his head. “Wait… you’re seriously⁠—”

“Hang on,” my mother pleads, her voice trembling. “Let’s not make any rash decisions. Let’s talk about this…” She rushes to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. I wrench myself out from under it.

“Kira, honey… We need to think about the consequences of doing something like this. You know how hard Claire’s been working to make you more likable. I think we need to take a beat before you do something that can’t be undone…”

Of course that’s what she’s worried about. It’s always the same with her.

“There’s nothing to talk about, Mom. It’s done. I’ve already sent the documents to Tabitha⁠—”

Augustus’s eyes are wide as saucers as he continues to scan through the pages. He should be over the moon right now. He just got everything he wanted. But when he looks up at me, I’m surprised to see his jaw tight, his brows furrowed. “What the hell kind of game are you playing?”

“I’m not playing any games,” I say. “I’m literally giving you everything you’ve asked for.”

“You did what!?” My mother gasps, her hand flying to her forehead before doubling over and bracing her hands on her knees.

He points at me with the rolled documents. “No, you’ve given me more than what I’ve asked.” He furrows his brows. “According to this, you’re giving me everything that’s in both of our names, which is pretty much everything we own⁠—”

“What has gotten into you?” my mother manages between panicked breaths. “Are you using drugs?”

I throw my hands in the air. “Because that’s the only explanation, not that any of this could be justified…”

“Well, the deal's off,” Augustus says, already pulling out his phone and tapping away at the screen.

“What are you talking about? I’m giving you what you wanted⁠—”

“Well, I’ve changed my mind,” he snaps, sliding the phone back in his pocket.

I just stare at him, struggling to make sense of what he just said.

“Why?”

He shrugs. “Because I was only making it difficult to drag it out. But since you don’t want to cooperate and stick to the plan, then I guess I’ll have to go with Plan B.”

“Let’s just take a deep breath and calm down.” My mother holds her fingers in a yoga mudra position as she tries to demonstrate.

In the history of calming down, I don’t think anyone has ever calmed down just by being told to. I give her a glare, and she looks away, then I turn my attention back to Augustus.

“You can’t just change your mind. I signed the paperwork and sent it to my attorney.”

He tilts his chin toward me, his cold stare locking on mine. “I can do anything I want, baby. You need to remember that.”

The look in his eyes, paired with the quiet threat in his voice, sends a chill running down my spine.

“Whatever, Augustus. I guess we’ll deal with this in court.” I roll my eyes and turn to leave, but he grabs my arm and yanks me back. His fingers dig into my arm as I try to break away. “Hey—Get your hands off of me!”

“I think you forgot who the fuck you’re talking to,” he hisses, grabbing a handful of my hair. “You belong to me until I say we’re done.” He moves toward the plane, dragging me with him as I swing my fists, desperate to break free.

I scream and fight, but he doesn’t stop. He just keeps pulling me forward. He’s stronger than me, and panic makes it nearly impossible to think, to see, to even orient myself. Somewhere along the way, I lose my sandals. Pain shoots through my head and my feet as I dig my bare feet into the rough concrete, kicking and thrashing with everything I have.

I must’ve snagged my fingernails on his clothes because I feel an aching sting on a few of my nail beds. The muscles in my neck burn from straining, and I’m certain I’m going to have a bald spot from how hard he’s pulling my hair.

“Stop fighting,” he grunts. “You have a photo shoot in the morning, remember?”

“Let. Me. Go,” I say between punches. “Help! Somebody, help!” I scream until my throat burns, but if anyone hears me, they must not care.

“Shut up,” Augustus hisses, his breath hot against my cheek as he yanks me up the steps.

I hook my leg around the railing, using my strongest muscles to my advantage. “Momma, help me!” My voice chokes on a sob.