Chapter 24

Amelia’s POV I leaned against the wall, my heart pounding as Everett braced his arms on either side of me. He was so close, his breath warm and heavy, his eyes glazed with alcohol. “Scarlett…” he mumbled, his voice low and broken. “Come on, don’t be mad anymore. Can you forgive me?” Each word burned into me like acid. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Scarlett Taylor approaching. Calm and composed, as always. A spark of calculation flickered in my chest. I tightened my grip on Everett’s arm and softened my voice to a helpless whisper, every syllable laced with worry. “Everett, you’ve had too much to drink. Let’s go home, okay?” Home. That single word made his clouded mind falter. I could see it in his expression—the way his thoughts drifted to that villa at Green Lake where he and Scarlett had lived for three years. “Y-you’re not mad anymore?” His voice cracked, sounding like a guilty child. “You wanna go home with me?” My chest twisted painfully. He had never lo