Page 34 of Pastel Kisses

I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms, grounding myself in sensation. Ineedto fight the pull, need to stay awake. Every moment I give in is another lost opportunity. Another secondshewins.

I don’t remember succumbing to sleep. One moment, I was clinging to my resolve, fueling myself with silent determination. The next, my internal pep talk faded into nothingness, swallowed whole by the relentless pull of exhaustion.

But I wake abruptly at the sound of footsteps.

I stay still, eyes closed,listening.

Her movements upstairs are predictable—paced, calculated. I’ve been mapping out the layout of the house in my mind every time she leaves. The kitchen is near the front of the house, the living room to the right, and a hallway leading to the stairs.

She lingers by the door for a few beats longer than usual before the heavy front door opens andclicksshut.

Only then do I move.

Dragging myself upright, I go through my routine—food, water, stretches.

Then, with nothing left to do but wait, I flick on thecurse and prayerthat is the television.

The news is still covering my case.

I figured there’d be sporadic reports, but this?

Every. Single. Station.

Then…Jaxton appears on the screen.

He looks likehell.

Gone is the effortless Hollywood golden boy. In his place is a mandestroyed, his face gaunt, dark circles beneath dull, hollow eyes.

My breath catches.

A tiny, traitorous fist of hope punches through the fortress of steel around my heart.

He looksmiserable.

Not like a man who’s just rekindled his love with hisex-fiancée.

Could I have been wrong?

The reporter steps aside, and Jaxton steps forward.

His voice is raw, strained. “Hi, I’m Jaxton. I’m here today for one thing… and that’s to beg whoever has Avery to give her back to me.”

The first crack appears in his voice, but he swallows hard and continues.

“We cannot function without her.”

A pause.

A deep, shuddering breath.

“I’m willing to give you anything, pay anything. Just please…”

His voicecompletelygives out, his entire body trembling. Tears streak down his face as he forces out a shattered plea.

“Please… please give her back.”

Liam steps in, wrapping an arm around him, guiding him away from the cameras.

---