Page 22 of A Sinful Gravity

Sloane spotted me first. Froze for a second. Then her expression adjusted perfectly—concern—as she walked forward, blocking me from the doorway.

"Oh! Mrs. King! When did you get here? Why didn't you knock? How rude... I hope you didn't hear anything?" Her voice was soft, falsely caring. "Cassian's drunk. Don't take it to heart. What he said just now... just drunk talk, you know how he gets."

As she spoke, she deliberately adjusted her collar. Slow. Deliberate. The others noticed, went quiet, nodding obsequiously.

"Just joking around, you know."

In that dim light, I clearly saw the stunning sapphire necklace around her neck.

That sapphire necklace gleamed coldly—the exact one I'd been dreaming about, the one I thought Cassian bought for me. This afternoon I'd still been anticipating it.

Sloane followed my gaze down, then smiled. "This is a little reward from Cassian's trip. He said I'd been working so hard, and the necklace matches my dress tonight. See? Isn't it beautiful?"

Reward.

Reward for Sloane.

The string I'd been holding taut all night snapped.

I didn't speak. Vision went black. Could barely stand.

Sloane kept talking, but I couldn't hear anymore. World spinning. Had to dig my nails into my arm to stay conscious.

I glanced past Sloane at Cassian. Eyes closed. Didn't care who stood at the door. That feeling of abandonment by the entire world drowned me completely.

Exhaustion hit—absolute, overwhelming. I turned and ran from that suffocating noise.

I don't remember getting backto my car. Just remember my hands shaking so badly I couldn't get the key in the lock.

Tears blurred everything. I started the car frantically, floored it. Washington in the storm looked like a beast ready to swallow me whole.

The tire skidded at a corner. My heart nearly stopped. Instinct took over—yanked the wheel, slammed the brakes. The car shook violently, screaming as it scraped the guardrail, then smashed hard into a roadside sycamore.

The airbag exploded with a muffled bang. I lurched forward, snapped back by the seatbelt.

I collapsed on the airbag, gasping, shaking.

After a long time, I realized the car had stopped. I lifted my head. Saw the tree. The hood crumpled. Engine smoking. Windshield covered in rain and leaves. Like the end of the world.

Trembling, I pulled out my phone. Instinctively dialed Cassian.

Two rings. Then I snapped awake. Hung up hard.

What was I expecting? For him to rush from Sloane's arms to save me?

My finger paused. Dialed another number.

"Mom, I crashed..." I tried to keep my voice steady.

"Luna? What now?" My mother's sleepy voice dripped with impatience. "If you crashed, deal with it yourself. What were you doing out this late? I've told you—the family's reputation matters more than your life. And don't bother Cassian. Call the insurance company."

She hung up. In her mind, I wasn't worth as much as sleep and appearances.

I clutched the phone. Finally found my voice. Broke down crying like a child. Tears and snot everywhere. Forgot every lesson about elegance my mother ever taught.

Finally, I called Chloe.

She answered fast. Like she'd been holding the phone, waiting. "Luna, what happened?"