Chapter 4


    After the crushing weight of her sorrow began to lift, ra quickly packed her belongings without a


    backward. nce and walked out the door, leaving her past behind.


    Elsewhere, a sleek ck Rolls–Royce Cullinan cut through the silent streets like a bolt of lightning.


    Frustrated,n yanked off his tie and tossed it aside. His phone rang several times before he finally


    picked up. “What’s up?”


    A rascally, carefree voice came through the speaker. “What took you so long to answer the phone,


    buddy?.”


    “I’m driving!”


    Chase let out a mischievous chuckle. “With Ms. ra? Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”


    “Got nothing better to do?”


    “Nope, just checking in. Youing to the Nightshade Bar? Edwin’s treating.”


    Ten minutester, at the Nightshade Bar, Chase slid a drink over ton and grinned impishly. “You


    look like you’ve been dragged through the mud. Trouble in paradise with ra?”


    “Oh! Look at you, falling ‘hard‘ for her, aren’t you?” Chase emphasized the word with a smirk, his


    expression a blend of mischief and nonchnce.


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    “Okay, okay, I’ll back off. Just a friendly heads–up, if you’re serious about ra, you better draw a


    line with Heidi. Don’t go running every time she calls. Otherwise, don’te crying to me if you lose


    yourdy.”


    “Which woman would? Heidi’s been your childhood sweetheart, and y’all have had a marriage pact


    since you were kids. You think any girl would be cool with her man always running back to his old


    me?”


    Before he could finish, the private room door swung open. Edwin walked in, arm in arm with Heidi.


    “Sorry, guys, Heidi wasn’t feeling great, so I brought her along. Hope you don’t mind.”


    Chase shotn an apologetic look and chuckled awkwardly.


    “Do we mind? Of course not. Your sister is like my own. Heidi,e sit by me.”


    Heidi’s smile was gentle and pure, belying any ulterior motives. “You’re right under the AC vent. It’s


    too cold. I’ll sit here.”


    She took the seat next ton and ced a small, elegant box in front of him. n,st time you


    stood up your girlfriend to save me. She’s not mad at you, is she?”


    “Good. I got her this lipstick as an apology. If there are any misunderstandings, I can exin it to


    her myself.”


    At his words, Heidi’s eyes brimmed with tears. n, are you upset because I keep bothering you? I


    don’t mean


    14.02


    to, but sometimes, when I have an episode, I can’t help but call you.” Tears fell down her cheeks as


    she spoke.


    behalf.”


    Heidi’s mood brightened as she pouredn a drink. “Try this,n. My brother got it at an


    international auction, a vintage from ’82.”


    As she handedn the ss, her fingers unintentionally brushed his wrist.n pulled away instantly,


    stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray. “Just put it down here,” he said tly.


    Heidi masked a sh of coldness in her eyes, reverting to her sweet,pliant demeanor.


    Edwin raised his ss ton. “I’ve yet to meet your girlfriend. Bring her around sometime.”


    Chase’s grin widened. “Might be a bit difficult now. They’re having a spat.”


    Edwin, notingn’s dark mood, added, “A little argument is nothing. Just butter her up. A bit of


    sweet talking usually does the trick. Just don’t end up like that guy I saved the other day–his wife


    was bleeding out after a miscarriage, and he wouldn’t pick up his phone while he was with another


    woman.”