Page 24 of The Hotel Room

James scoffed, leaning back in his seat, arms crossing tightly over his chest.

“She doesn’t work, Nick. Never has. I’m the one who’s kept this whole life running. The house, the bills, the tuition—all of it. She can be mad, fine. But she literallycan’tleave me. Sheneedsme.”

Nick blinked, stunned. “James, are you even listening to yourself, man?”

James lifted his drink, the bitterness burning in his throat.

“That’s how the world works, Nick. You think she’s gonna figure out how to keep that house on her own? Support two kids? Come on. She’ll cool down. She has to.”

Nick stared at him for a long, silent beat. Then he shook his head, voice quieter but cutting.

“Jesus, James. You’re trying to control her. Like she’s some...property you think you own.”

James slammed the glass down harder than he meant to, the sound echoing between them.

“Igaveher this life!” he snapped. “She doesn’t get to throw it all away over one stupid night that didn’t evenmatter.”

Nick’s face hardened, jaw tight. “It mattered toher.”

Silence.

Thick. Heavy. Unforgiving.

James looked away first, but the words still clung to him, raw and relentless.

It mattered to her.

But she still needed him.

Didn’t she?

CHAPTER EIGHT

Kate

Kate sat cross-legged on the floor of Leah’s guest room, sorting through the endless tangle of socks, shirts, and jeans that seemed to multiply overnight. Lily’s sparkly leggings mixed with Noah’s hoodies, her own worn sweater tangled in the mess.

The guest room felt smaller every day. The twin bed creaked when she shifted, the floral bedspread one Leah had probably owned since college. It was cozy, but nothome.

And the kids felt it.

Lily hadn’t said much, but she clung tighter each night, asking endless questions about when they were going back. And Noah—well, he’d barely spoken to her at all.

The ache pressed harder in her chest as she folded another pair of jeans.

There was a knock on the open door. Leah. She hovered just inside the doorway, arms crossed, leaning against the frame like she was working herself up to something.

Kate knew that look.

It never meant anything good.

“Hey,” Kate said softly, folding a shirt. “You’re home early.”

Leah didn’t answer right away.

Instead, she exhaled slowly, like she was bracing herself.

“Kate. We need to talk.”

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