“Oh, I think you did, actually. And while I meant what I said about your work, to be honest, Annie, your manner has always left a lot to be desired.”

With that Lauren swept out of the room.

Annie began to hyperventilate. She stumbled toward her desk and collapsed in the seat as she tried to catch her breath. As she did, her phone dinged and she reached for where she’d left it, wondering what fresh hell was about to be unleashed on her now.

It was Kim.

Hey, I sent you an invite to the launch but noticed you haven’t RSVP’d. Really hope you can make it?

For Christ’s sake! A goddamn jolly in Italy was the last thing on her mind at the moment.

Annie read the message a few times, resisting the urge to tell Kim Weston to just go and shag off with her big party and her thriving business and her sweet life.

She wanted to lie and say that she hadn’t received anything, but the invite and tickets had been delivered to the salon by courier so Kim would know that she had.

She really should have RSVP’d, or at least contacted her to thank her for her generosity, but so much had blown up since.

Oh God...

She kneaded her forehead. There were so many fires to put out and too much stress. Her business was bust, customers were walking out the door, and she had no idea how to rescue this. She had no idea how she was even going to make this month’s rent, never mind anything else...

Then Annie thought of something.

She hated herself for it, and had sworn to herself she wouldn’t, but she couldn’t help it—the pull was irresistible.

She clicked onto social media and scrolled through photos she’d seen a million times before. The perfect life, perfect couple, perfect everything—all that she’d wanted and hoped for but could never have. It wasn’t fair.

To hell with it, she thought, picking up the phone, her fingers moving quickly over the screen.

Her life was falling apart anyway—what else was there to lose?

Chapter 41

Now

“Hey, you with us?” Gabriel asked Kim as they strolled through Pompeii with Lily.

The ruins of the great city always stirred her. It was a reminder of how easily and quickly life as you knew it could end.

The remnants of old houses, empty amphitheaters, and perfectly preserved figures spoke of a city whose tragic fall had been told and retold many times before the eyes of its visitors.

“Sorry,” she apologized as she took several quick steps to catch up with them. Lily was in her dad’s arms and playfully pulling on his nose while also attending to her favorite doll. Gabriel reached out an arm and wound it around Kim’s shoulders as she came closer.

“Baby’s sleepy, Daddy.”