Chapter 19

"Bryce, please don't ask me that. I love you, I really do, but I just can't risk being kicked out of the Dalton family..." Yelena's tears began to fall, and she turned and ran off. Watching her disappear, Bryce felt something inside him just die. Only now did he really understand why Yelena had never wanted to go public about their relationship—her title as a Dalton mattered more to her than anything else. Bryce didn't even remember how he got home. It was like all the strength had been drained out of him, and he couldn't bring himself to care about anything. He started drinking heavily, going through bottle after bottle every day, completely losing himself in alcohol. His friends came by all the time, trying to talk some sense into him, but nothing seemed to get through. It was like alcohol was the only thing that made the world bearable. They would gather around, worry written all over their faces, whispering to each other as they watched Bryce. "It's been a month now. What's g