Chapter 5

"What?!"

The room went silent. People exchanged wide-eyed glances, and whispers rippled through the crowd.

Sean Parker didn't move. He just stood there, staring at me like he was trying to figure me out.

I drew in a slow breath.

It felt like letting go of the weight in my chest had made it easier to breathe.

Claire, pushing her way through the crowd, grabbed my hand.

"What's going on? I just stepped out to take a call, and now this? Did someone mess with you?"

I smiled softly, brushing my thumb over her cheek. "I'm sorry, Claire. I've made trouble for your family's hotel."

Her eyes widened, and she shook her head frantically. "Stop it. You haven't done anything wrong."

Sophie's usual bravado seemed to slip away.

She probably felt disappointed she wouldn't get the chance to tear into me herself. And maybe she was annoyed I wasn't running off like some scared little rabbit.

I wrapped my arms around Claire and walked away from the crowd. As we passed Sean Parker, I didn't even look his way.

He was still standing there, frozen, like he was stuck in place by some invisible force.

That night, Claire called.

"Thea, don't stay holed up in that tourist trap anymore. Come work at my dad's hotel."

I was taken aback, unsure. "Is that... a good idea? Won't I just cause trouble for you?"

Claire waved it off. "It's fine. Just work room service for now. You won't have to be in the public eye much, and the pay's better than selling plush toys."

For some reason, I found myself saying yes. Maybe it was the change, maybe it was the need for something different.

On my third day of work, I found myself running drinks to a birthday party in the main hall.

I wasn't involved, but the manager suddenly called me down to help.

When I stepped into the room, I froze. It was Sean Parker's birthday.

I'd completely forgotten.

His college friends were there, along with some people he'd picked up in the city over the years.

I scanned the crowd, looking for Claire.

I had no intention of showing my face at this party.

"What are you standing there for?" The supervisor shoved a tray of drinks into my hands. "Go! The main table's waiting."

Before I could protest, she gave me a little push, sending me stumbling into the crowd like a zombie with a tray.

As I made my way to the main table, Sophie bumped into me.

My arm jerked, and the tray slipped out of my hands, crashing to the floor. Glasses shattered everywhere. Alcohol splashed over Sophie's expensive high heels and soaked the hem of her dress.

"Ah! Are you blind?!" she screeched.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, dropping to my knees to pick up the broken glass.

Sophie, of course, wasn't having it.

"What good is 'sorry'?" She shot me a venomous glare. "Do you know how much these shoes cost? Get down and clean them up right!"

I glanced at Sean Parker. He was staring, his expression tight, but he didn't speak up.

I knew he wouldn't.

"Hurry up!" Sophie barked, her voice dripping with scorn. "Is this how your hotel handles mistakes?"

I sighed, pulled out the handkerchief I always carried, and bent down to wipe the mess.

The whole room was staring now.

Before I could finish, Sophie's voice rang out, cruel and taunting.

"Well, well, look who we have here! Recognize her, everyone?"

My stomach dropped.

She wasn't just mocking me; she was setting me up.

With a smirk, Sophie continued, "This is Thea Brown, right? Let me tell you all where she's been these past few years."

My mind went blank.

She knew everything.

And she wasn't done.

The crowd's murmurs swelled, their curiosity shifting toward judgment.

I looked up at Sophie, who was practically gleaming with satisfaction.

She loomed over me, like a cat watching a mouse twitching in its trap.

In that moment, I felt like I was backed into a corner, and they were all just waiting for me to break.

If I was going down, it wasn't going to be on her terms.

I stood up slowly, meeting her eyes, then looking at Sean, then the sea of curious faces.

"No need for your help," I said, voice cold. "I'll tell them myself."

The room went completely still.

I took a deep breath.

"A few years ago, I accidentally killed someone. I disappeared because I was serving time in prison."

It wasn't for them. It wasn't even for Sophie.

It was for me.

Because I was done hiding.

Sean Parker's eyes widened in disbelief. He shot up from his chair, his face pale. "What did you just say?"