Chapter 4

I changed my shoes at the door. Voice even. "Don't bother with the guest room. The place is yours now. Take your time. Braxton, we're done."

Kinsley's eyes welled up instantly. "Cielo, it's all my fault. I'll leave right now. Don't joke about the wedding."

Braxton held out an arm to stop her. His eyes went cold on me. "Let her go."

He leaned against the doorframe. Voice holding back heat. "You walk out that door today, don't expect me to come after you. Come back within three days, I'll pretend this didn't happen."

I opened the door.

Braxton's voice chased me. "Cielo, you leave and I can't stop my mother. She'll call your mom crying. And your mom will call you. Saying she's on the verge of a breakdown. Saying she can't show her face. You'll drown in their tears."

My steps stalled for half a second.

Three years. My mother told everyone I'd found the one. My father brought up Braxton's family at every gathering. Proud his daughter got so lucky.

Braxton knew. What scared me wasn't disappointing them. It was my mother's endless accusations. Her emotional collapse. Every time I tried to hold my ground, she made herself the victim. Accused me of ruining her life.

Kinsley's voice slipped in. Soft blade. "Cielo, your parents are so invested in Braxton. You're being really reckless."

I turned back. Looked at Braxton. "Switching the name on the invitation. Taking her to meet your parents. Putting her in the master bedroom. That's also me being reckless?"

Braxton went quiet for a moment. Then the arrogance snapped back. "We'll talk about all that later. Don't do this at the door. The neighbors will talk."

I set the key on the shoe cabinet.

Braxton finally noticed it. His brow moved. Almost imperceptible. "You're leaving that too?"

I said, "You just said it. You paid for this place. And now someone else is sleeping in the master bedroom. Doesn't feel right for me to keep holding this key."

His face dropped. Hard. "Cielo. You really have to be this brutal?"

I didn't answer. Pulled my suitcase into the elevator.

Braxton's voice came through the closing doors. "Cielo, once you're out, don't even think about coming back!"

The elevator descended. I tossed the backup building pass into the trash.

My phone lit up. The shelter director. "Cielo, National Geographic has a documentary crew coming tomorrow to shoot some volunteer material. Can you help one more day before you're gone? They're recruiting a high-altitude medical consultant. I think you'd be perfect."

I typed back. *Okay.*

The screen dimmed. Kinsley's social feed refreshed.

She stood at the master bedroom window. Caption: *Full circle. Finally back where I belong.*

The next morning, I brought my suitcase to the shelter.

Changed into scrubs. The familiar smell of disinfectant hit me.

I was bent over, adjusting the heating lamp on a post-op puppy, when noise erupted from the yard.

The director walked into the treatment room wiping her hands. Face grim. "Cielo, the documentary crew was scheduled. But Kinsley's people pushed their way in. Sponsor called last minute. Said she wanted to film some charity clips. Image rehab."

"The documentary director—Orion? His face went black. He's got his whole team waiting on the side."

I walked into the yard. Kinsley stood in front of the kennels in a white dress. Cameras circled her.

She bent down. Reached for a yellow puppy. Just neutered. I blocked the cage door. "He's less than twenty-four hours post-op. Don't pick him up."

Kinsley looked up. Smiled innocent. "Cielo, I just wanted everyone to see how cute he is. If people love him, they'll donate."

Braxton stood outside the camera ring. Frowned. "Cielo, don't make this ugly."

I stared into his eyes. "His incision hasn't healed. If something goes wrong, who takes responsibility?"