Page 186 of Exposé

"So I became the bad guy. Told you to stop, but of course, you did the complete opposite."

"I'm so sorry I called you those things."

She shook her head. "I know what it looked like, but I needed to set the record straight, especially before you do this."

"It doesn't change anything, Whitney. I'm still publishing it. I have fifteen public forums and three legacy media emails sent. I wanted you to have it so you could do the right thing." I stood from the bench and left the flash drive on the table. "But I understand now why you would choose not to." I adjusted the bag on my shoulder. "Goodbye, Whitney. And seriously, thank you for everything."

I turned and walked toward the kitchen, blocking Darrel's way. "I wanted to let you know that it was never you."

"Umm." His brows furrowed, his arms littered with breakfast plates. "Okay."

"The reason why we didn't work out." I glanced at the front door, the taxi waiting beside the stairs. "It wasn't because of you. I didn't want anyone to leave me again like my mother left me. I didn't want to become her either."

"Why are you telling me this now, Ava?"

"Because..." I swallowed hard. "I don't want you to question your worth." I leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Bye, Darrel."

Spinning around, I rushed for the front door. My damp hand pressed against the windowed door as I pushed it open, leaving behind a perfect imprint of my nerves.

My feet hit the stairs with a bounce, then I jumped into the taxi and slammed the door shut. "Airport, please."

"You got it." The man pulled back onto the road and headed north toward the airport in the next city over.

My eyes flickered to the side window, catching sight of blue lights every so often as my driver flew past other streets.

Where was he?

Is he okay?

"Please be okay," I said under my breath.

I did my part.

An hour later, the airport filled my worried view, a line of cars stretching ahead of us as people departed their drop-off vehicles. Families hugged one another, smiling, crying, and waving goodbye.

The taxi pulled to the curb as I dug into the front pocket of the backpack and pulled out more than enough dollar bills to cover the trip, then handed it to him. "Thanks for being patient with me."

I opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk, grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder, then walked inside, forcing myself to slow down and assimilate with the excited passengers. Sweat damped my hairline as my eyes darted around, trying to find the sign for my airline. Everything and everyone moved in a blur around me.

He'll be here.

The TSA agent standing at his podium-style desk held his hand out. I put my boarding pass and passport in his hand, my knees damn near buckling as he stared it over, giving me a once over, then handing it back with a verification stamp.

Rushing through the security, I made it to my gate in record time, my stomach about to heave.

Where is he?

Why couldn't we have bought burner phones?

I held my stomach.

Oh God.

I'm going to be sick.

"Final boarding call for Flight 7999 to Jakarta."

I paused as the last few people walked over to the gate attendant, scanning their boarding passes, then disappearing down the walkway. My eyes roamed the crowd of people shuffling or rushing to their gates.

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