Page 130 of Unleashed

“You can come in,” I called, pulling myself out of my spiraling thoughts. “I’m decent.”

“That remains to be seen,” she teased as she entered, flashing a grin. Her hair was pinned back in soft waves, and her makeup was flawless, accentuating the glow of impending happiness. She looked effortlessly stunning.

I tried to return her smile but felt the effort falter. “Thanks.”

She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Will you be alright today?”

“If you’re asking if I’ll ruin your day, I won’t,” I said, forcing a chuckle that sounded hollow even to me.

Erika tightened the belt of her short black silk robe and sat beside me on the bed. Her playful grin softened, replaced with concern. “Seriously, I couldn’t care less about my day. I care about you.”

“Forget me,” I said, waving off her concern. “This day is about you and Lincoln.”

Her eyes flickered with something unspoken before she finally said, “Michael will be there.”

My heart lurched at the mention of his name. I struggled to keep my voice steady. “Is he bringing a date?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Does he know?” I asked quietly. “Did Lincoln tell him my marriage is falling apart?”

Erika shook her head. “Lincoln would never betray your trust like that. It’s for you to tell, when you’re ready.”

I sighed, my heart heavy. “It’s probably better I stay away from Michael. He’s too... magnetic.”

Erika smirked, mischief flashing in her eyes. “If he wasn’t about to be my brother-in-law, I’d tell you to get Slade out of your system by sleeping with him.”

I let out a short, bitter laugh. “It wouldn’t be fair to Michael. The worst part? I still love him. I’m so messed up, Erika.”

Tears welled up and spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them. Erika didn’t hesitate. She pulled me into her lap, cradling my head like a child’s as I sobbed into the soft silk of her robe. Her fingers gently stroked my hair, her voice soothing.

“It’s going to be alright, Morgan. You’ll get through this. I know it feels like everything’s falling apart, but you’re stronger than this.”

“I have nothing,” I whispered between sobs. “Everything is gone.”

She cupped my cheek, making me look at her. “You have so much more than nothing. I’m here for you. Lincoln’s here for you. You’re not alone.”

I sniffled, trying to pull myself together. “What would I do without you?”

“Probably fall apart just like this,” she teased, brushing the tears from my face with the pad of her thumb.

I laughed weakly. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Erika leaned down and kissed my tearstained cheek. “Now, why don’t you wash your face and put on that gorgeous black dress you brought?”

I nodded, wiping my face on the sleeve of my robe as I sat up. Erika stood, giving me one last reassuring smile before slipping out to finish getting dressed.

I was alone again, but her words echoed in my head, grounding me. Maybe I wasn’t as alone as I felt. Maybe there was a way forward—one step at a time.

As we steppedinto The Garden Room at The W Hotel, I couldn’t help but admire how stunning everything looked. Erika’s wedding colors—shades of yellow and rust—draped the room in a bold, yet elegant statement. She always knew how to make an impression. But as much as I tried to focus on her happiness, my mind was elsewhere, spinning out of control.

The first thing I did was seek out Michael. My eyes locked onto him at the bar, sipping amber liquid from a crystal-etched glass. His ice-blue eyes cut through the crowd and landed squarely on mine. My breath hitched, and I quickly looked away, my heart racing. The last thing I wanted was for him to know I’d been staring.

Suddenly, the pressure to pee hit me—nerves, no doubt. I bolted from the room, narrowly avoiding an elderly woman as I rushed past her. "Oh God, I’m so sorry!" I apologized, barely slowing down. The restroom became my sanctuary, a brief escape from the storm inside me. After I used the bathroom, I found solace in the small lounge area, where the padded chairs provided a much-needed moment to collect myself.

But peace didn’t last long. When I stepped out, Michael was waiting for me, leaning casually against the wall, his navy pinstripe suit crisp, his pale yellow tie perfectly knotted.

“Hello, Michael,” I stuttered, trying to keep my voice steady.

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