I do not remember how I got here.
I can feel the cold concrete beneath my bare feet. The sharp sting of the night air against my skin. My dress is ruined. The expensive silk clings to my body, heavy from tears and dirt, fluttering weakly in the wind like it is just as tired as I am.
The bottle of wine slips slightly from my fingers, but I tighten my grip.
I should let it go.
I should let everything go.
My head spins. Maybe from the wine. Maybe from the crying. Maybe from whatever is left of me slowly cracking apart.
I stare down.
From this height, the streetlights look like stars. People below are tiny shadows moving too fast to care. I wonder if they would notice me falling. Or if I would just become part of the pavement.
I am on the top floor of Wynn Industries.
Not inside.
On the edge.
The edge of the building my father built.
The building I spent half my life fighting to prove I belonged in.
Now I stand above it, knowing it was never mine.
I take a step closer to the edge. My toes curl around the concrete lip. My body sways slightly, caught between fear and relief.
It would be easy.
One step forward.
One breath held.
And then silence.
I close my eyes.
I do not want to cry anymore. My tears mean nothing now. Not after tonight.
Not after Chloe wore my ring.
Not after my father smiled at her and called it a beginning.
Not after my mother whispered that it was for the best.
I open my eyes.
The wind tugs at my hair. It stings my cheeks.
I welcome it.
I deserve it.
I raise the bottle to my lips, forcing down another burning mouthful of wine. The liquid tastes bitter now. It makes me cough, but I do not stop. I cannot stop. I want to drown it out. All of it. The memories. The betrayal. The voice in my head that keeps asking why.
Why me.
Why this.
Why now.
I think about Chloe. About Liam.
About the people who said they loved me.
I laugh softly, but it sounds more like a sob.
I take one more step forward.
Just one more.
The bottle slips from my fingers this time.
It shatters somewhere behind me.
Good.
I spread my arms slightly. I let the wind pull at me.
I am ready.
I lean forward.
Then I feel it.
A hand.
Strong. Rough. Gripping my arm without hesitation.
I gasp, whipped back from the edge as if caught in a net. My body jerks violently. My heart slams against my ribs.
"No. Let go!" My voice cracks as panic floods me. I struggle against the grip, not knowing who or what has me.
"Get away from me! Let me go!"
I twist, trying to free myself, but the hand only tightens. It pulls me back fully onto the rooftop, dragging me away from the ledge. My knees scrape against the concrete as I land hard, breathless and furious.
"Who are you?" My voice shatters in the night air. "Let me go! Do not touch me!"
The hand releases me suddenly.
I scramble to my feet, but I am disoriented. My vision blurs. Tears burn my eyes.
I cannot see him.
The rooftop is too dark. The shadows swallow everything.
I swing blindly, desperate to fight, to defend myself, to escape whatever this is.
My bare foot connects with something solid.
A grunt of pain.
I do not hesitate. I run.
I do not know where I am going. I just know I have to move.
I sprint across the rooftop, heart hammering. My pulse roars in my ears. My legs are weak, but fear pushes them forward.
I hear footsteps behind me.
He is following.
I glance back, but the shadows give nothing away. Only the sound of someone close. Too close.
I push harder, my breath ragged. My head pounds. I trip once but catch myself.
I do not stop.
I reach the rooftop door, my fingers fumbling on the handle.
I yank it open and throw myself inside, slamming it shut behind me.
I collapse against the door, gasping for air.
My entire body shakes.
Silence.
I listen.
Nothing.
I wait, pressing my ear against the cold metal, too terrified to breathe.
No footsteps.
No voice.
He did not follow.
Or maybe he never wanted to.
I slide down to the floor.
I curl into myself, hugging my knees tightly.
I do not cry.
I have nothing left.
Just fear.
And the terrifying question I cannot answer.
Who pulled me back?
And why