Page 202 of Money Reigns
“Livvy’s ex,” Dean says with a wicked grin. “We’ll rough him up a little. Teach him a lesson.”
Chase grins back, already balling his fists. “Oh yeah? I’d get him so good—”
Dean bounces on his toes, pretending to duck a punch. “One left hook. Bam! He’d never know what hit him.”
They laugh, sparring in the kitchen like idiots, tossing fake punches and snickering about how they’d make War sorry.
I can’t breathe.
Quiet.Please.
“Stop it,” I whisper, clutching the counter.
But they don’t hear me.
“Stop it,” louder this time, my throat tight, eyes stinging. “Stop it—”
“SHUT UP!”The shout rips out of me before I can swallow it down.
The room freezes.
“Olivia Lynn Baker!” Mama’s voice scolds, sharp as she steps in with a basket of folded laundry balanced on her hip. Her eyes narrow at me, shocked.
I crumble, tears threatening again. “Sorry, Mama. Can you take my cookies out of the o-oven?” My voice cracks on the last word.
Before anyone can stop me, I dart past her, past the stunned silence of my brothers, and race up the stairs.
My old bedroom swallows me whole. Mint green walls everywhere, the same ridiculous bedspread, the same stuffed bear propped on the dresser. Frozen in time, like the girl who used to sleep here never left.
I shut the door, chest heaving. I press my back to the door. My cheeks are flushed from the sting of cold air seeping in through the old windowpanes.
I grab my phone off the nightstand.
My thumb hovers over his number. Unblocked. Waiting.Stillwaiting.
But I don’t press it.
I can’t.
Instead, I scroll, find Ella’s name, and hit call.
“Pick up,” I whisper, tears slipping hot and heavy. “Please, just pick up.”
“Liv?” Ella’s voice crackles through the line, softer than usual, a little sad around the edges. “What’s wrong?”
The sniffle gives me away. My throat works, and before I can stop myself, the words spill out in a rush.
I tell her everything.
All about Warren Beaumont.
How he made me work for him. Gave me an office. Bought me everything I needed. How he made me feel loved, seen, wanted. How he made me pick out a ring, promised forever. How there were cameras. Secrets. How he did things without asking. How he paid for the Inn behind my back. How I’m still hiding the truth about Ronnie.
And worst of all, how I left without seeing him.
How it’s been a month. How I unblocked his number. How he hasn’t called. Not once.
It all comes out too fast, tripping over itself, choking me, until I’m empty.
