Chapter 18

Darren had spiraled for weeks. It wasn't until Reynard called to remind him about a critical contract signing that he finally flew back to Cadville. By the time the meeting wrapped, it was already past midnight. He stared blankly at his phone screen—the wallpaper of Kayla smiling with her eyes crinkled—and a fresh wave of ache clawed through his chest. When he reached the gates of the villa, he immediately sensed something was off. Colorful lights flickered through the windows, and loud, pulsing music thumped from somewhere inside. His expression darkened with irritation as he pushed the front door open. Winona was throwing a wild party with a group of her friends. The speakers were deafening, blasting music loud enough to shake the walls. Red wine had been spilled across his custom wool rug, and someone was even using one of his rare collector's models as a wine glass. "Get the hell out of my house!" Darren roared. The entire room fell silent. The same people who had been s