Page 105 of Dare To Live

I’m frozen in place. “You’re his ex?”

He glares at me. “Oui. And we would be back together if it wasn’t for your little friend.”

“Miles?”

“Ivan was mine.”

“Is this why you’ve been shitty with me the whole time I’ve worked here? Because I’m friends with Miles? Because he’s engaged to your ex-boyfriend?”

“I said no to the time off, Mademoiselle Gray.” He returns to studying the sketches in front of him. “If you have nothing else to say, get back to work. I want those designs on my desk by the end of the day. If not, expect to work well into the night to finish them. I wouldn’t make any more plans for gallivanting if I were you.”

The son-of-a-bitch has been on my back this whole time because he can’t take his anger out on my best friend. I’m being made to pay because he’s jealous of Ivan and Miles’ happiness.

Anger swells up inside me. “No.”

Marcel’s chin tilts up, and he glares. “What do you mean no?”

“You won’t be getting any more of my work, Monsieur Allaire. Forget stealing any more of my ideas. I quit.”

His expression shifts into a scowl. “You can’t quit. If you do, I’ll ensure you never work in the fashion industry ever again.”

His words should scare me, but they don’t. If anything, it feels like a weight is lifted off my shoulders.

“Watch me.” I turn and stride toward the door, then stop. “I’ll make sure Ivan knows about this, just in case you’re spying on him, too. I’m sure he’ll be interested to know all about it.”

“Mademoiselle Gray—”

“Fuck you, Monsieur Allaire.” I walk past his secretary, who’s gaping at me. “Goodbye.”

***

My fingers tighten around the hand holding mine as the imposing gates of Churchill Bradley Academy come into view. I’m trying really hard not to crumble under the tension. My chest is tight, panic a jagged lump in my throat.

It’s been five days since I quit my job. After walking out, I called Ivan and told him what happened. He apologized for his ex’s behavior and promised to help me find a new job.

I’ve spent the entire time, arguing with myself, changing my mind back and forth about coming here. I’m still not sure how Ivan got me in the car.

“We’re here,” Miles squeezes my hand.

Ivan darts us a look in the rear-view mirror before returning his attention to the road. “Everything okay back there?”

I give him a weak smile. “Would you turn around if I said no?”

“You’ll be fine. We’ll take it slowly.”

“It’s just a few days.” I’m not sure if Miles is trying to convince me or himself.

“A week,” I correct him.

Ivan stops at the gates and shows the security guard our invitations before driving us through. “You’ll get to see all your old classmates.”

Miles casts an uneasy glance at the building looming directly ahead of us. “That’s not necessarily a good thing.”

“The jocks and cheerleaders bullied me.” My voice is small, and I can’t shake the feeling of dread that wraps itself around me tightly.

“Then fuck what any of them think. You are here to get closure on the past.”

“I hope you’re prepared to pay for all the therapy sessions we’ll need by the time we leave.” My attention roams over the grass toward the dorm building, and I huddle deeper into the hoodie I’m wearing.

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