Page 137 of The Sound Between Us
“Understand what? That you forgot to mention you’d slept with my family? That it slipped your mind?” I’m gathering the rest of my things now, shoving them into my bag with shaking hands. “What else have you forgotten to tell me, Harrison? Any other sisters you’ve fucked? Cousins? Maybe you’ve worked your way through Dad’s entire family tree?”
“Seren, please—”
“I’m done.” I turn toward the door, my chest caving in. “I’m done listening, I’m done believing, I’m done being the stupid girl who thought she was special.”
He reaches for me one last time, his fingers brushing my wrist. I freeze. Every cell in my body wants to turn around, to let him pull me close.
Instead, I yank my arm away.
“Don’t touch me. Don’t call me. Don’t follow me.” My voice is steady now, cold. “We’re done.”
I walk out. The door clicks shut behind me.
In the hallway, my phone buzzes. Dad, probably with flight information.
I don’t look at it. I can’t. The screen is cracked—when did that happen?—spider webs of broken glass cutting across the display.
My hands are shaking. My chest feels hollow. My legs keep moving anyway, carrying me toward the lifts, toward the lobby, toward whatever comes next.
The elevator doors close, and I catch my reflection in the polished steel. Mascara streaked down my cheeks. Hair a mess. Still wearing his tour shirt.
I look exactly what I am: another girl who fell for Harrison Carter’s lies.
Just Hailey did.
Just the others probably did.
The lift descends, and with each floor, I feel myself falling further away from the woman who believed in fairy tales.
By the time the doors open, she’s gone completely.
