Page 48 of All My Broken Pieces

I nod again, fidgeting with my glasses. “Yeah. He looked at me like,” Biting my cheek, I glance up at her, feeling terrible for bringing it up but needing someone to know. Someone who might understand. “He looked like you did. You know,after.”

Ava looks at me confused for a moment before realization sets in. “Oh fuck.” She breathes. My head bobs once more, my shoulders slumping. “Fuck. That’s really not…” Running her hand through her hair, Ava’s eyes fill with a pained understanding. “Oh Fallon, I’m so sorry.”

I don’t realize I’m crying until a teardrop falls into my cocoa with a splash. “Yeah, it’s whatever.” I mumble, averting my gaze from her concerned one. “I just don’t know what to do, you know? Like, how do I help him?” My heart aches as I long to make this better, to dosomething.

“Sometimes all you can do is be there for him.” She reassures me, reaching forward to take one of my hands in hers. “Just know, whatever he says, whatever happens, none of this is on you.”

I bite my cheek harder, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth as I break the skin.

“Hey.” Ava directs my attention back to her, waiting for me to meet her gaze before continuing. “It’s not your fault.” Her eyes are filled with tears, threatening to overflow at her insistent words. Her and I both know she’s not just talking about Hudson in this moment, and it’s almost too much.

My mouth opens and closes silently, unsure how to respond because, yeah, I did blame myself. A part of me still does.

I should have known.

What if Killian hadn’t gotten there in time?

What if…

I shake my head, pushing aside the familiar thoughts. Ones that often plague me in the worst possible moments.

“Yeah, I know.” I mumble instead of voicing any of the anxieties.

Before the conversation can go any further, the distinct sound of the elevator dinging fills the space. Ava and I meet eachother's gaze as we wait for the doors to slide open. When they do, the sounds of a heated argument filter into the room.

“It was fucking reckless and stupid.” Killian growls, stomping inside.

“Yeah, well, how was I supposed to know, old man?” Arriana retorts, huffing as she follows him.

Spinning on his heels, he runs both hands down his face. “We can’t afford this kind of thing to come back on FindingLight.” He sighs, his face showing the weariness he feels.

“You think I don’t know that?” Arriana snaps, throwing her hands in the air. “What about me, huh? What if it comes back on-” Her words cut off when she sees us sitting on the couch, watching them intently. “Oh, hey, baby.” She forces a smile on her face, unable to hide the worry in her eyes.

Glancing at Ava, I find her brows furrowed, a slight frown on her face. I turn my head back to our other halves. “What’s going on?” I ask, unable to push down the uneasiness building inside.

“It’s nothing to worry about.” Arriana reassures me, coming up to place a kiss on my forehead. “You ready to go home?”

I blink at her, trying to keep up with the conversation changes in my buzzed state. “Okay.” I draw out the word, looking between the three in the room as I push to my feet.

After saying goodnight, I follow Arriana into the elevator, trying to keep the panic at bay. It’s not until we enter our apartment before I say anything. “Arriana,” I start, watching her closely as I ask again, “What’s going on?”

She studies me for a moment, her eyes flashing with worry and…fear.

I gulp, not liking the emotion on her. She’s fearless, not whateverthisis.

“I fucked up.” She admits, dropping her eyes to the floor. “You don’t know what I do, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

I flinch at the reminder her words bring, my mind flashing back to the last time I was involved in her so-calledwork.

“What’s such a pretty girl doing with someone like her anyway?” The evil man asks, running his hand down my chest and stomach. I flinch back from his touch, cowering into the wall in hopes he’ll just leave.

It’s a stupid hope.

“Mmm, maybe you just need the right man to remind you what you’re missing out on by being with some other bitch.”

My eyes widen as I take in his meaning. Shaking my head, I curl into myself, tugging at the rope that’s keeping my wrists behind my back. “Don-don’t touch me.” I whisper, trying and failing to make my voice strong.

The man huffs a laugh, his expensive suit and perfectly polished appearance a stark contrast to the monster I’ve met that lies beneath the surface. “You think I would want you?” His laughter grows at the thought, as if he couldn’t imagine a more ridiculous concept. “Sweetheart, I don’t do sloppy seconds to one of my employees.” He runs his eyes down my body, making me shudder under the predatory gaze. “Even ones as exquisite as yourself.”

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