“You just can’t fuck other women like that either. You make me sick, Brendan Sommers. You have stabbed me in the heart a thousand times over with your actions and your words. You’ve embarrassed me, belittled me, and made sure that you broke down my self-esteem so low that I would have to spend the rest of my life trying to raise it back up. Giana was right; you never loved me.”

“Giana’s a bitch.”

I couldn’t believe he said that. I put my hand in front of him to stop his filthy mouth from speaking. He never took responsibility for anything he did wrong in his life.

“Go fuck yourself, Brendon. I bet you’d be really good at it.” I grabbed the handle to my suitcase and rolled it behind me as I walked out the door. He followed me to the elevator.

“Have a nice life, Gabby. Don’t think you’re ever going to meet someone who’s going to love you because nobody could love someone like you. You’re right: I never did love you. You’re a game, Gabby. A pawn in someone’s hand. Poor little Gabby, grew up with no one to love her and, twenty-four years later, she still doesn’t have anyone. Good riddance, bitch,” he said as he turned and walked back into the penthouse.

He numbed me with his words. My legs were shaking so badly that as soon as the elevator doors opened, I stepped in and sat down against the wall. When I reached the lobby, and the doors opened, Silas, the doorman, ran over and helped me up.

“Miss McCarthy, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Silas,” I whispered as I looked straight ahead at the front doors.

“Are you going on another trip?”

“Yeah, but this time, I’m not coming back.”

“Good for you, Miss McCarthy. I never liked Mr. Sommers. He was always mean to you.”

I looked over at Silas and gave a small smile. “He was, wasn’t he?”

“Yes. He was. Let me get you a cab.” He stepped outside the doors and whistled for a cab.

When one finally stopped, Silas loaded my bags into the trunk and gave me a light hug goodbye.

****

As soon as I arrived at the airport, I walked up to the ticket counter.

“How can I help you?” the annoying cheery girl asked.

“I need a ticket on the next flight to Seattle, please.”

“Round trip?” she asked with a wide smile.

“No. One way.”

“You’re just in time. The next flight leaves in approximately one hour.”

“Great.”