Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
For minutes after she ended the call, I stand with the device pressed to my ear while staring at an easel.
We’re over?
Callan ended our relationship without talking to me?
And he’s been home all this time?
Leaving the cart in the aisle, I walk out of the store. I wrap my arms around my middle, trying to keep the pain from ripping me apart.
I don’t take in my surroundings. I don’t hear anything.
There’s only the devasting disappointment and heartache.
I understand Saturday night was one hell of a shock for him, but not giving me a chance to explain is unfair.
But my father is the judge who let Theo walk free. Maybe Callan can’t be with me because of my family.
Even though I’ve cut ties with them, it probably won’t matter to Callan.
Who would want to be with the daughter of the man responsible for allowing your best friend’s murderer to walk free?
God.
I gasp as the cold, hard realization sinks in.
He’s been ignoring me all this time. It’s probably why the receptionist at The Ritz was so rude toward me.
Oh God.
Callan ended things with me.
Did he even leave a message on my old phone, or did he ghost me like everyone before him?
The pain flays me to my soul, and I begin to run in an attempt to get away from it.
When I reach my house, I rush inside and slam the door shut before ugly sobs burst from me.
God. I’m alone.
I’m completely alone in this world.
I lost Callan.
My sobs turn to heartwrenching cries as I sink down to my knees. I wrap my arms tightly around myself and sway back and forth.
I can’t.
This is too much.
Lying in a fetal position on the floor of the empty living room, lost sobs shudder from my chest.
Slowly anger creeps through the devastation, and it lights a fire under my ass.
No. He doesn’t just get to ghost me.
I’m done with people treating me like shit and getting away with it.
Pushing myself up off the floor, I grab my handbag before storming out of the house.
Come hell or high water, I will talk to Callan tonight and give him a piece of my mind.
Hailing a cab, I watch as the car stops and quickly climb into the backseat. “The Ritz Plaza, please.”
Tonight is the night I stand up for myself, and God help anyone who dares get in my way.
When I’m done telling Callan what I think, I’m going to my parents' house. They will give me my belongings, and then I never want to see them again.
I work myself up into such an angry state it makes the pain lessen. When the cab stops in front of the Ritz, I pay the fee and shove the door open.
I storm into the building, ready to fight my way into Callan’s apartment, but I calm a little when I see the nice receptionist behind the desk.
She gives me a friendly smile. “Welcome to The Ritz. How can I help?”
“Is Callan Wright in?”
She gives me an apologetic look. “What’s your name again?”
“Lily…Lillian.”
I watch as she calls his apartment, and a wave of shock ripples through me when she says, “Mr. Wright, sorry to bother you. There’s a Lillian to see you at reception.” She listens with a smile. “Thank you, sir.” She places the earpiece down.
My heart beats out of my chest, and I swear if she says –
“Let me just grab my keycard, and I’ll let you up.”
What?
My heart scampers off at an insane pace, and my mouth grows dry. The blood drains from my face as I follow the receptionist to the elevator. When the doors open, I step inside while she presses the number for Callan’s floor.
“Enjoy the evening, Lillian,” she murmurs, the friendly smile still on her face.
I doubt I will.
“Thank you.”
The doors slide shut, and my eyes settle on the numbers as I’m taken to the top floor.
Stand your ground.
Nerves explode in my stomach, and when the doors open and my eyes land on Callan, my legs almost give way beneath me.
Dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt, he looks at me with something akin to caution as he murmurs, “Lillian.”
Lillian.
I’m no longer Lily.
The blow hits hard as I step out of the elevator. I glance over my shoulder, watching the doors close, then look back at Callan. “Thank you for seeing me.”
He nods and gestures to the living room.
“If it’s okay, I’d rather stay here. I just came to say my piece, then I’ll leave.”
Callan crosses his arms over his chest and nods at me. “Only if you’ll listen to what I have to say as well.”
My tongue darts out to wet my lips. “Fine, but I go first.” I start to cross my arms over my chest as well, but a sharp pain from my wrist stops me, and I drop my hands to my sides.