Page 5 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

I stand, frozen, as their argument escalates. My mind races, trying to make sense of this nightmare. How could I have been so stupid? So naive? I'd thought Ian was my fresh start, my chance at happiness. Now, it's all crumbling around me.

"And you," Paige spits, turning back to me. "I hope you're happy with yourself. You've ruined everything!"

“That’s enough, Paige,” Everett steps forward, stopping whatever she planned to hurl in my direction.

I shake my head, tears pricking at my eyes. "I swear, I had no idea. I’d never… If I'd known?—"

"Save it," she snarls.

“Get her outta here, Ian, or I’ll help you.”

Ian grabs Paige's arm. "We're leaving. Now."

He starts dragging her toward the exit, but she twists in his grip, hurling one last barb my way. "Don't think this is over, you homewrecking whore! You'll pay for this!"

And then they're gone, leaving nothing but shocked silence in their wake.

I wrap my arms around myself, trying to hold it together. But inside, I'm falling apart. How did everything go so wrong so fast? Just minutes ago, I was full of hope for my new life in Silver Ridge. Now, I'm the town thot before I've even unpacked my bags.

A throat clears beside me, and I turn to find Everett still standing there, his expression unreadable.

"Everett, I—" I start, but he cuts me off with a raised hand.

"Save it," he says, his voice gruff. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing, Miss Duncan, but I suggest you take it elsewhere. We don't need that kind of drama in Silver Ridge."

His words hit me like a physical blow, and I struggle to find my voice. "It's not... I didn't..."

But he's already turning away, striding toward his truck where the twins are waiting. I watch as he climbs inside, his movements gentle despite the hardness in his eyes when he glances back at me.

As the pickup pulls away, I'm left alone in the middle of the bus station. The silence that follows is deafening. I can feel the weight of everyone's stares, their judgment crushing me like a physical force.

My heart aches with a mixture of guilt, sorrow, and anger.

How did I end up here, caught in the middle of their toxic relationship? And who does Everett think he is, judging me without knowing the whole story?

I wrap my arms tighter around myself, trying to summon the strength that's gotten me through tough times. But right now, I'm struggling to find it.

"Lord, give me strength," I mutter under my breath, a habit picked up from my grandma that surfaces in times of stress.

What am I supposed to do now? I have no job, no place to stay, and I’m in fucking Montana. Nearly two-thousand miles from Detroit, and I don’t know anyone in this damn town—except Ian. The urge to flee is overwhelming.

I could get on the next bus and forget this whole disastrous idea.

But where would I go?

I've burned all my bridges back home and spent every last penny getting here. Silver Ridge was supposed to be my fresh start, my chance to build a new life.

Now it feels like I'm right back where I started – alone, with nothing but the clothes on my back and a reputation in tatters.

I take a deep breath and scan the area for a Plan B. I refuse to let Ian and his lies destroy everything I've worked for. I've survived worse than this, and I'll be damned if I let some small-town drama run me out before I've even had a chance.

I march to the station's information desk, where an older woman is eyeing me.

"Good afternoon, ma'am," I say, injecting warmth into my voice. "I was wondering if you could point me toward a place to stay. Preferably somewhere... affordable."

The woman's expression softens slightly at my polite tone, but I can still see the wariness in her eyes. "Well, there's the Whispering Pines Inn just down the street, but it can be a bit pricey. You might try asking around at some local businesses for something more budget-friendly. Sometimes, they know of rooms for rent."

I nod, grateful for even this small bit of help. "Thank you. I appreciate that."

---