Page 124 of More than Paper

“If you’re going to say something, Charlotte, then speak up,” Vivian tells her.

Noah, Xander, and Jamison walk over to us, all looking confused.

“Everything okay over here?” Jamison asks.

I smirk. “Peachy.”

Jamison squints, licks his lips, and shakes his head at me.

“What’s going on?” Noah softly asks Piper.

“Quinn and Charlotte are worried about Vivian, and I assured them that everything will be fine. Chase hired security and did the right thing. Ms. Looneytunes Thursday won’t be able to get near her.” Piper points to Vivian.

Chase’s face reddens. “Can you all stop calling her Ms. Thursday?”

“Why? That’s what she is.”

“Was,” Vivian corrects me.

“Sorry. You’re Ms. Thursday now,” I blurt out.

Just like I’m the mistress.

Vivian whips her head back in shock as Chase says sternly, “No, she’s not.”

“Quinn, can I talk to you?” Jamison asks.

“Whatever you want to say, you can say it here. Let’s just put it out there. Maybe you can write a check with it.”

Jamison’s eyes widen. A hurt look passes over his face. I blink back tears.

I can’t do this anymore. This is destroying me. I can’t be the mistress.

But I love him.

I don’t know how to live without him anymore.

You need to figure it out. This isn’t what you want in life. Nothing will ever change, and you’ll always be the mistress.

Untying my apron, I take it off and throw it on the counter. I avoid looking at the others, walk out of the kitchen, grab my coat, and leave.

The dam breaks, and tears fall so quickly I can’t see.

I jump into the elevator and run out into the street, hopping in a cab someone is getting out of. I give the driver my address and pull out as Jamison is running out of the building.

I get into my apartment, and within five minutes, Jamison is walking through my door.

He puts his arms around me from behind. “Quinn, what’s going on?”

I turn around. “I can’t do this anymore.”

He holds his breath. “Can’t do what?”

I motion between us. “This. Us.”

He cups my face. “Don’t say that, doll.”

I sob. He pulls me into him. “I love you, but I can’t do this.”

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