Chapter 2

I woke up in a Las Vegas hospital room.

The moment Leander saw my eyes open, his shoulders visibly loosened.

"You're finally awake. You scared the hell out of me."

"The doctor said it's a mild concussion. No lasting damage."

I closed my eyes without answering.

Leander took the hint and shut up.

His office kept calling, but he ignored every call.

When it rang again, I said, "Go. I can hire a private nurse. If we're divorcing, taking care of me isn't your job anymore."

His hand stilled halfway through peeling the apple.

"Enough already. You can be mad, but don't drag this out forever."

"You don't have family in Vegas. If you divorce me, where are you even going to go?"

"You can't live without me, so stop pretending you can."

He took the very past that once made him protective of me and turned it into a weapon.

I gave him a bitter smile.

"I don't want to fight about Celia anymore. I'm tired."

Leander pinched the bridge of his nose.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Nothing is going on between me and Celia. We just grew up together."

"Her parents spend most of their time in Europe. Mr. Norwood asked me to look out for her while she's in Vegas. Stop imagining things."

The door swung open.

Celia walked in carrying a cheap, brassy-yellow wig.

"Annelise, I shouldn't have shaved your head. I bought you a wig to make it up to you."

She ignored my injuries and jammed it onto my head.

She leaned close and whispered with a smirk, "I found you a cheap one mixed with dog fur. You look like a stray in it."

A tremor ran through me.

I ripped the wig off and threw it back at her.

"Keep it. You can wear it yourself."

Tears welled in Celia's eyes on cue.

"Leander, if Annelise is still mad at me, I'll leave. I don't want to get in the way while you're taking care of her."

She turned toward the door, all wounded innocence.

The act worked on Leander instantly.

He caught her arm, pulled her back, and shoved the wig laced with dog fur onto my head again.

"Annelise, that's enough."

"So there's a little dog fur in it. Celia came here to bring you a wig. You don't have to treat her like garbage."

The rank animal smell hit me.

My skin crawled. I ripped the wig off again.

"I don't want it!"

"Are you done yet?"

Leander's hand came up.

Smack.

My head snapped to the side.

For one stunned second, the room went silent.

I pressed a palm to my burning cheek. The last of my restraint snapped.

"Leander, I'm severely allergic to dogs!"

I had a severe dog allergy.

The worst reaction I'd ever had nearly killed me.

I'd told Leander that more than once.

He'd forgotten.

Something bitter and heavy settled in my chest.

Leander couldn't remember an allergy that could kill me.

But he could remember that Celia always ordered her burgers without onions.

I didn't need any more proof of who came first.

I'd spent years telling myself they were only this close because they'd grown up together.

I couldn't lie to myself anymore.

Leander went quiet. Guilt flickered across his face, and when he spoke again, his voice had softened.

"Celia was only joking. Don't hold it against her."

"Did I hit you too hard?"

He reached for my cheek.

I turned away.

While he stared, I pulled the blanket over my head.

"Both of you, leave."

"Have the divorce agreement drafted. Send it to me."

His temper flared right back up.

"Annelise, are you ever going to let this go?"

I ignored him.

He stormed out and slammed the door. Celia hurried after him.

I waited until their footsteps faded before lowering the blanket.

Tears had soaked my face.