Chapter 3

Day seven of hiding out at Chloe's apartment.

I snatch up my phone, tap open that pinned chat, then instantly lock the screen and hurl the device onto the couch.

No missed calls. No texts. Nothing at all.

"Stop looking at it!" Chloe grabs my phone and slams it face-down on the coffee table. "Serena, what are you still waiting for? You think he's suddenly going to grow a conscience and come looking for you?"

"I'm not expecting anything!" I shoot up to my feet. My eyes sting and ache with unshed tears, but my voice is loud, a desperate attempt to cover my own pathetic insecurity. "I just wanted to see if he even realized I quit my position at the blood bank! It's been a hundred years, Chloe. Even if a dog ran away, its owner would at least look for it."

I can't even finish the sentence. I collapse back into the sofa and press my hands hard against my face. Tears slip right through my fingers and drop to my lap.

I completely despise myself for being this pathetic.

"That's enough. You fly to Rome in three days, and you can't keep rotting away here." Chloe pulls me to my feet and shoves a jacket against my chest. "Put it on. We are going out. You need booze, and you need to be around actual living people."

Half an hour later, downtown Manhattan. Nocturne, a secret members-only vampire bar.

The heavy bass vibrates against my eardrums, and the thick scent of synthetic blood makes my stomach churn. I keep my head down and follow Chloe through the packed dance floor. All I want is to find a quiet corner and sit down.

"Damn it." Chloe stops dead in her tracks and mutters a curse.

I follow her gaze and look up. My breathing completely stops for a second.

Straight ahead in the VIP booth, Lilith giggles and leans into Alexander's embrace. She is wearing a dark red velvet gown.

It is the exact same dress Alexander had custom-made for me by Italian tailors just last month, designed specifically for the Lord's Lady.

He told me then that the color complimented my skin tone perfectly. Now, it hugs Lilith's body like a second skin.

My fingers curl into tight fists.

As if sensing something, Alexander looks past the crowd and his eyes lock directly onto mine.

He freezes.

In that instant, I clearly see a flash of shock in his eyes, followed immediately by the guilt of being caught red-handed.

He quickly looks away. Instead of getting up, he raises his arm and pulls Lilith even tighter against his waist.

"Serena? What a coincidence."

Lilith spots us with her sharp eyes.

She rests against Alexander's chest and puts on a totally fake, apologetic look. "Alexander and I booked the whole place tonight. Do you mind going somewhere else?"

"Cut the crap, you two-faced bitch." Chloe rolls up her sleeves and tries to lunge at her.

"Chloe!" I grab her arm and hold her back.

I stare straight at Alexander. He furrows his brows. "Serena, you shouldn't be in a place like this. The estate guards told me you haven't been back to the basement in seven days. Are you still throwing a tantrum?"

Anger and humiliation burn away my tears. I let out a cold laugh. "Alexander, I am not your blood bank anymore. Where I go and what I do has absolutely nothing to do with you."

Alexander's face darkens. He is about to lose his temper.

"Don't be mad, Alexander." Lilith shakes his arm and gives me a provocative smile. "Serena is just upset because she has nowhere to go after leaving the family. About the dress..."

"Keep the dress." I cut her off without hesitation. "I find used clothes disgusting. The same goes for men."

Lilith's face instantly freezes. Alexander's eyes turn sharp and dangerous. "Serena, watch your mouth."

I don't give him another look. I grab Chloe and turn to leave.

The heavy bar doors slam shut behind us.

The strength I was faking completely vanishes. Tears flood my eyes and spill over my cheeks.

"That was badass, Serena!" Chloe slaps my shoulder in excitement, but her voice quickly drops when she sees my wet face. "Why are you crying again?"

"Why..." I grip the fabric at my chest, trembling as I cry. "I thought telling them off would feel great, but why does it still hurt so much right here!"

Late at night. Back at Chloe's apartment.

I wrap myself tightly in the blanket and stare blankly at the ceiling.

Buzz.

The phone resting face-down on the desk suddenly vibrates.

I sit up abruptly, my heart pounding out of control. I grab the phone. The harsh white light from the screen illuminates my tear-stained face.

Sender: Alexander.

Did you really quit your position at the blood bank? Where the hell are you?

I stare hard at the screen. My fingers hover over the keyboard, shaking uncontrollably.

Yeah, I quit a long time ago.

Are you just noticing this now?

Go to hell.

I type frantically. Large tears drop heavily onto the screen.

Then, I delete it all, word by word. Over and over again.

It hits me. The second I reply, whether to curse him out or demand answers, I lose.

He is just used to my obedience. Now that he sees the blood bank is empty, he tosses me a questioning text like some kind of charity. Just like every time I try to leave, he reaches out at the very last second, only to push me right back into the abyss the moment I turn around.

I clench my jaw and wipe my tears away. My fingertip presses down hard on the screen.

Block. Delete.