Page 131 of Tears of Ink

“Faith, don’t.” It’s his voice that cuts through the chatter. How fucking dare he?

I push at the heart, so it topples off balance, and then I watch in slow motion as it shatters into a million tiny red shards. Gold and red destroyed across the floor.

“Faith.” Gerard tries to grab my arm. “Don’t throw everything away.”

I don’t listen though. I walk. I hold my head high and I walk away, and never, ever, will I allow any man to lie to me again.

“Faith.” Elijah’s fingers electrify my skin as he rushes behind me and tries to catch a hold of my hand.

He’s too late.

I’m already gone.

The tear of ink on my finger glints as I steal back to my room and lock the door.

It only takes me moments to pack. A few clothes stuffed into a bag, the same as I arrived with.

Tears course down my face and I swipe at them as I try to see through the pools gathering along my lashes.

I slide off the dress and stuff that in too, not worried about creases. I’ll burn the damn thing, I don’t care how much it cost.

I slide on my familiar jeans and vest, then I pick up my phone. On the screen is a message. The one I’ve been dreading.

Dan: He’s gone.

And then everything I know falls apart and I know I will never forgive Elijah Fairclough for being the man to finally bring me down.

To be continued …