Page 32 of Red, White, and You

“Wiped.”

My chest tightens until my lungs feel ready to pop. “It’s like I never even took the case.”

“Worse,” she whispers “It’s like the case never existed in the first place. He’s gone.”

I curse under my breath and hang my head, rubbing my knuckles over my breastplate to relieve the pressure in my chest.

“We’ve been trying to do damage control without you, but we need you to come back and coordinate with the authorities. They want to speak to you directly.”

“What do you mean you’ve beentrying? For how long? When did this happen?”

“Saturday night.”

“Saturday night?” I snap at just above a whisper. Running my hand over my forehead, I begin to pace. “You should have called me immediately, Christina.”

“I know.” Chris is quiet for a moment, then adds, “But there’s nothing you could have done. It was the middle of the night; you wouldn’t have even been in the office—”

“I might’ve been!” Breathing deeply, I shake my head.

I might’ve been.Ishould’vebeen.

Losing that file could cost me the biggest case of my career.

“You could have been hurt, Brie. If these guys made Hargrave disappear, what would they have done to you?”

I grit my teeth, shaking my head. It doesn’t matter because I wasn’t there. We’ll never know if I could have done something to save those filesbecause I wasn’t there. “Send Clarence to collect me.”

“Already on his way.”

“Okay.” I nod, even though she can’t see me. “See you this afternoon.”

I end the call and haul in a stuttered breath. The serenity of the lake in the early morning light mocks the turmoil in my life, mocksme. Thinking I deserved serenity has cost me the biggest case of my career.

My chest is a tight ball of anxiety, undoing three days’ worth of relaxation. This unexpected turn of events has shaken me to my core. I had finally allowed myself to embrace the happiness that Brady and I were rediscovering, to let go and relax, and now, it feels like a cruel joke. Like I’m being punished for giving myself this week to reconnect with the love of my life and enjoy a moment of goddamn peace.

I turn my back to the lake and walk slowly toward the door, the weight of the situation heavy on my shoulders. I have to face Brady, explain everything to him, and cut our reunion short. The thought fills me with a deep ache and the heavy weight of guilt, as if fate is mocking the fragile happiness I had dared to hope for.

The summer camp, once a place of joy and reconnection, now feels like a fleeting dream. And as I prepare to shatter the idyllic bubble Brady and I had begun to build together, I have a sickening thought:

Will life ever allow us to truly find happiness in each other’s arms again?

He’s still sleeping, unaware of the bomb that was just dropped into my lap, and I can’t bring myself to wake him just yet.

Maybe it’s cowardly, but I’m struggling enough for both of us. Let him sleep peacefully for a little while longer before I break both of our hearts all over again.

The morning sun casts a warm glow across the room as I carefully fold my clothes and place them inside the open suitcase. My heart is heavy with a mixture of sadness and duty. This decision weighs on me like an anchor, tugging me in opposite directions. Part of me wants to stay here, to revel in the joy of rediscovered love, to immerse myself in the sea of passion that Brady and I have awakened. But reality beckons, reminding me of the life I’ve built, the responsibilities that demand my attention. I have to return to the city.

As I zip up the suitcase, Brady stirs. I glance over my shoulder as his eyes flutter open, confusion flickering in their depths as he takes in the sight of me preparing to leave.

He sits up quickly, rubbing his eyes as if he’s hoping what he sees is a mirage, a lingering fragment of a dream.

But it’s not a dream; it’s a nightmare.

“What’s going on, Brie?”

I turn to fully face him, my heart aching at the sight of his tousled hair and drowsy eyes. I should be climbing back into bed with him to start the day the way we have every morning since my arrival. Instead, I’m going to break his heart.

“Brady, I…” My voice wavers as I search for the right words, the ones that will convey the impossible choice I’m forced to make.

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