Page 209 of Fame & Rhythm

By the time we reach the hotel, I’m barely holding it together. The guard opens the door, but I don’t stop to thank him. I rush inside, straight to the elevators, jabbing the button repeatedly like it’ll make it come faster.

I can’t breathe.

My chest is tight, my vision blurring, everything spinning.

The doors open, and I stumble inside, pressing the button for our floor with shaking hands.

The ride feels endless.

When the doors finally open, I almost trip stepping out.

I can’t see properly through the tears, my lungs burning as I fumble with the keycard. The door clicks open, and I rush inside, kicking off my heels as I slam it shut behind me.

I press my back against the door.

Trying to breathe, but I can’t.

The pain hits harder, sharp and crushing, like something is physically tearing through my chest. I slide down the door to the floor, clutching at my chest, gasping.

It won’t stop.

Nothing I do makes it stop.

I rake my fingers through my hair, trying to breathe, trying to think, but all I can see is Amber.

Amber kissing Aston.

Amber carrying his child.

My entire body trembles with a deep, aching pain I can’t control. I grab a fistful of my hair and pull, desperate for anything to override the agony tearing through my chest.

It doesn’t work.

I pull harder.

A broken sound rips from my throat as I slam my head back against the door.

My phone rings again. The sharp sound cuts through everything, dragging me out of the spiral just enough to get to my feet. I start pacing the room, my chest tight, my thoughts racing.

I’m hurt.

I’m furious.

How could he do this to me?

Everything was good.

We were good.

And this whole time Amber bloody Leopard Print Pants has been carrying his baby.

A scream tears out of me as I grab the bedside lamp and hurl it across the room. It smashes against the wall, glass shattering everywhere.

I stare at it, my chest heaving.

Shattered.

Just like me.