Chapter 16
Candice stimed beneath the silk sheets, her head pounding, her throat dry like sandpaper. The sunlight that filtered through the blinds felt like a blade across her temples. She groaned, sitting up, one hand clutching her forehead.
“What the hell happened last night.
She blinked, her vision slowly clearing as she stood and stumbled to the door. Her heels were still by the couch. Her phone, dead. Her memories? Blurred beyond recognition.!!
She made her way down the stairs in her satin robe, half–expecting silence–only to pause at the dining table.
A full spread of food was laid out–eggs, croissants, fresh juice, pancakes, a bright salad drizzled in vinaigrette. And shrimp.
Her heart lifted
River.
She smiled to herself, walking toward the table. So he’s finally making up for last night. And for missing my show. Good. Maybe things were finally falling back into place.
She sat and began to eat casually, stabbing at the salad as she called out, “River! I didn’t know you cooked now.
No response.
She continued anyway. “You missed a great night, by the way. The reviews were glowing. I wore that gold gown you got me. Stunning. obviously. But we’ll need to make it up, you know? Some new jewelry would be a good start.“)
Still silence &
A strange tension began to form in her chest–but not emotional. Physical. She frowned and swallowed hard.
Then the itch began in her throat.
She coughed once. Then again–sharp, sudden.!
She froze.!
Her eyes widened as her breathing began to hitch, her chest tightening.X
“Wait.” she rasped. “River, is there shrimp in this?
She turned to see him finally step out from the kitchen, leaning casually against the doorway. His eyes were cold.
“Yes. I put shrimp in it.“8
dieta
Panic flashed through her. “What? You–You know I’m allergic! Are you insane?! Do you want me to die?
Her throat was constricting now. She pushed herself back from the table, stumbling toward her purse. “My medicine–where’s my epi–pen
“I have it,” River said, lifting the injector in his hand.
Relief flooded her–only for a second.!
“Give it to me,” she gasped, coughing harder. Her skin was blotching red, hives already beginning to rise.X
But River didn’t move.
He just looked at her.
“You don’t deserve to live,” he said, voice low and venomous. “So why should give this to you?”!!
Candice blinked, disoriented, “What.. what are you saying?”
He stepped closer, eyes blazing now?
“I know everything.” he spat. “Last night. You confessed it all. You paid my men to keep Allison hidden. You sabotaged everything. Your made her leave me.”
Her lips parted, trembling. 1–River–I was drunk–I didn’t mean-“B
“You meant every word,” he growled. “And I stood there, I listened. While you laughed like it was some game. Like ruining her life–our life -was a joke.
“Please..” Her voice cracked. “I couldn’t lose you?
“But you did,” he snarled. “I thought I wanted you. I thought being
being with you would fix the hole she left behind. I kept telling myself this was what I wanted. That you were who I loved.”
His hand clenched tighter around the injector
“But I was lying. To you. To myself.“%
Candice fell to her knees, clawing at her throat now, gasping.
“Allison,” River whispered. “She’s better than you in every way. She’s kind. She’s strong. She made me feel like I had a heart You? You fed my ego. You filled a void. But that’s over now.”K
Tears rolled down Candice’s cheeks. “River.. please… help me.”
