Page 102 of The Bitter Words

A uniformed woman who looks to be in her forties strolls over to me. “Can I help you?”

“Yes. My brother, Brendan Hemings, is staying here and left an envelope for me to pick up.”

Her eyes round and she grins. “You’re Livianna Hemings. Welcome and let me say, my daughter is a huge fan.”

“Oh, that’s very kind.” My cheeks grow warm. “I’m actually out of the business now.”

“You’re getting out of acting?”

“Yes, but tell your daughter thanks for supporting me.” My chest expands. “If she likes my style, make sure she knows I’m starting a fashion company.”

“Really? That’s great.” The lady laughs while typing something on a keyboard. “She wears all The Ember line, so I’m sure she’ll follow your new adventure. What’s the name of it?”

“It’s called—”Tell her Lehlani Rose Designs.My heart aches and I shrink. “Livianna Grace Designs.”

“Easy to remember. Even though I know who you are, I need to check your ID.”

“Of course.” I fish out my license and show it to her.

The woman reaches into a drawer and pulls out an envelope. “Here’s the item your brother left for you.”

“Thank you.” I take it from her and excuse myself.

As I approach the elevator, I take out the key card and a piece of paper. Bren left a little note inside.

We’ll be on the twentieth floor. Follow the signs once you get off the elevator and you’ll run right into the suite. Love ya, Bren

I find it endearing that Bren made sure they were staying on the twentieth floor to reflect Callum turning twenty. Bren may seem like he doesn’t care about much, but he’s pretty sentimental when it comes right down to it.

I take the lift to the floor while my breathing goes into overdrive. It’s been over three months since I’ve seen Callum. We’ve been having a hard time and I know this trip will change everything for us.

I find their room and slip inside the suite. They were going to host a party here, so I’m shocked to find it clean and nobody sleeping on the furniture in the living room.

Better for me. I don’t have to worry about waking anyone.

I notice a bathroom off to the left side of the entryway. A thought comes to mind and I decide to make my grand entrance even that much more desirable.

I roll my suitcase into the restroom, take out a pink-and-black lace lingerie set, and put it on. It matches my hair, which now has black shadow roots but is pink everywhere else.

Callum told me he doesn’t like my hair brown, so I styled it this way to surprise him. I hope he likes it.

Once I’m presentable and squirt a little more of my perfume on, I gaze at my reflection in the mirror.

I rub my lips together to smear my gloss over them. Perfect.

I keep my luggage where it is, check my text from Bren to make sure I go into the correct room, and try to hold my excitement at bay.

“Please, God, help me make this trip a success.” I leave the area, sneak through the suite, and open the door to Callum’s bedroom.

I sway into the darkened area. It’s almost pitch black, so I find the edge of the bed and let my voice sing to wake him.

“Happy birthday, love.”

“Uh…what?” he murmurs as the lights flick on. “Fucking hell. What are you doing?”

I expect him to be sitting up, but what I see instead has the floor opening under my feet and taking me into a free fall.

Zara holds the white cotton sheet to her naked chest and Callum is pushing himself up off his stomach, trying to pry his eyelids open. I stand frozen, praying this isn’t happening.