Page 65 of The Forever Game

Sitting back with a helpless sigh, I show the screen to Rachel. Her crumpled expression is killing me, and I look away from it, feeling like the lowest form of scum possible.

God, please tell me I haven’t just lost the best thing that ever happened to me.

CHAPTER24

MIKAYLA

Ethan’s words keep ringing in my head, and my hands won’t stop shaking. Thanks to an accident and heavy traffic, it’s taken me hours to get to this stupid presentation. I don’t even know why I need to be there. Axel’s such a douche. He added that stuff to his contract to mess with me. And Ryan, of course, put it in, no questions asked, because he wanted this deal to go through. He’ll get bank from this, and what will I get?

You’ll get nothing… and you’ll lose your husband.

“I can’t keep going like this.”Ethan’s voice echoes through the back of my mind. Is he saying we should break up? Is he leaving me?

The blood in my veins has been replaced with ice.

“I don’t know who you are anymore.”

His words keep tormenting me. Have I really changed that much? I didn’t mean to. I’ve just been trying to do a good job. I can’t succeed in this business unless I do my time, and being an assistant to this shit-stick is going to look great on my résumé. When I leave, he’ll give me a great recommendation and?—

Will he, though?

Or will he punish you for daring to leave?

Didn’t he joke the other day that I’m his favorite lackey?

Asshole.

My shoulders twitch as I pull the door open and clip into the building. I’m still in my stupid wedding attire, the dress feeling out of place. I pull it down again, smoothing the fabric over my hips.

Cameras are clicking, people shouting Axel’s name while the sponsors flap about excitedly, making sure their products are at the best angles in the background… and forefront… and the edges. Fuck, their shit is everywhere.

It looks ridiculous. Talk about overkill.

“We need to get on with this. Axel, can you turn around and smile at the cameras?”

“I’m waiting for my agent,” he grumbles.

“I’m right here.” Ryan waves with a cheesy smile.

Axel rolls his eyes. “I mean the pretty one. Need me some eye candy at this thing.”

I stutter to a stop, knowing he’s talking about me. Hating that I’m even here when I could be at a wedding reception with my friends and husband. The people I love and admire. The people who make me happy.

Happy? When was the last time you’ve been happy?

My stomach drops, Ethan’s words ringing through me yet again.“I don’t know who you are anymore.”

Shit. He’s so fucking right.

I have changed. I’ve lost my spark. My mojo. I’m just Ryan’s disgruntled lackey, a hamster spinning a wheel and getting nowhere. But I’ve been too caught up to realize it. And now I’m about to lose my husband… for what?

“Mikayla!” Ryan notices me, beckoning me over with his fingers. “Finally! Took you long enough.”

“There was an accident,” I mumble, shuffling toward him. “Traffic was a bitch.”

“Whatever, just—” He frowns down at me. “What are you wearing?”

“I left a wedding to be here,” I snip. “I didn’t have time to get changed.”

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