Chapter 10

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city. Alexander stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows with his whiskey glass nearly empty. "Alexander," Lucille whispered in a honeyed voice as she embraced him from behind. "Stop waiting. She's not coming." The crystal glass let out a stressed creak under his grip. He had been waiting for Vanessa to show up ever since the night of the party. She had never disobeyed him before, but this time, not only had she skipped the event, she had vanished for days without a trace. His phone screen was still lit, displaying the last message Vanessa sent. "I'm not coming. I'm going to find the one I love." He had replayed those words over and over in his mind, and each time, it felt like a stone pressing down on his chest. The one she loved? Who else could it possibly be besides him? Alexander couldn't help but wonder if this was just another one of her mind games. "Alexander." Lucille pouted, clearly annoyed by his silence. She stood on tiptoe and