Page 102 of Billion Dollar Revenge

As much as I want to drive straight to the airport and run away, I don’t.

When I arrive home, I find myself alone. Summer left me a note to tell me she’s out. So I throw my bag on the table and rush to my room. Collapsing into my blankets, I cry out the remainder of my tears.

“Chelsea?” Summer’s voice sounds distant, as if she’s underwater.

I sit up, rubbing my face as she enters the room.

“What time is it?” I ask, blinking at her.

Her gaze roams my face. “Six. Were you sleeping?”

It’s still bright outside from daylight. I’m surprised I was able to fall asleep with the blinds open. I must have passed out from crying so much.

“I must have,” I say, looking down at my hands tangled in my lap.

“I saw the article and tried to call you. Are you okay?” She moves to sit beside me on my bed.

“Not good,” I reply on a shaky breath.

“Do you have any idea who did it?”

I turn to look at her, swallowing my shame. “It was Bobby. I sent him that picture.”

“I always hated him.”

I try to laugh, but it turns into a snort. “I know. I should’ve listened.”

She leans her hand on my white blanket. “What did Evan say?”

I run my teeth over my bottom lip and stare at my white dresser across the room. I’m too embarrassed to meet her gaze. “I haven’t spoken to him.”

“Do you think he had anything to do with it?”

I shake my head as the answer falls easily from my mouth. “No.”

She raises an eyebrow at me. “Then you should call him.”

I sigh and let her know what I’ve been thinking. “We want different things.”

“What do you mean?” she asks softly.

“He’s so organized, and I’m kind of all over the place.” I point to myself and peer up at her from under my wet lashes. My face feels puffy and sore. I’m sure I look as miserable as I feel.

Her eyebrows draw together. “He’s not perfect, and I’m sure he doesn’t expect you to be either.”

“I brought this mess to his company.”

“Bobby did, not you!” she argues.

But that’s not the only reason I’m crying. I know that Evan and I won’t be able to have a long-term relationship.

“That’s not all. He doesn’t want the same future as me,” I admit. “Summer, I don’t want another relationship where I give up my dreams for a guy.”

Her face falls as she understands. “Well, that fucking sucks.”

I nod, my gaze dropping to my hands as I pick at the skin around my nails. “Yeah, it does.”

She shuffles on the bed, grabbing my hands to stop me picking. “You shouldn’t have to give up anything.”

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