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“You will, because you will not stay here,” she says, getting up. “Wheels up in fifteen.”

My eyes follow her back out of the library as I recall her words. I am flying back with Simon. So, does it mean she is staying here?

I don’t want to go back. I can’t.

My hands tremble just thinking about being back in London, and yet all I want is to leave this house and her behind me.

I also need to take care of my cats.

I get up and don’t even care about putting the book or anything back. I scramble my phone from the floor. It has a broken display.

Whatever,I think. I hate the thing anyway, and I only have it to check on Bella and my mother, who calls me every day. Except for yesterday. Probably, most of the calls and messages come from her; she might believe I died because I didn’t answer the phone.

I take the coat, slip on the loafers, and head out to the helicopter. I don’t even look back. It is nothing I want to remember.

“Miss Phillips,” says Simon, the pilot, and holds out a hand for me to take. “I just finished the check, and we’re ready to head back.”

I nod and take the hand reluctantly before I aim to climb into the helicopter.

I don’t know what makes me do it, but somehow I turn. I glance back at the manor house, although I don’t want to.

Victoria stands behind a window, watching me. So she’s really staying here.

Our eyes meet.

My body jolts.

I hesitate.

But I can’t. This is not what I want. I need my peace and quiet.

So, I get in the helicopter.

The door is closed with utmost finality to a chapter ending.

The vibration begins.

Tears stream down my face.

I haven’t felt this horrible ever before.

This has all been a huge mistake.

I should have never left the bloody house.

Stupid, stupid idiot.

14

MIA

PLAYLIST: MAKE IT RAIN – GEORGE BARNETT

It is night when I close the door to the flat behind me and sink to the ground. A horror-struck Bella has opened the door for me because I didn’t even have the key to my own flat right now.

“What the bloody hell! I was worried sick!”

“Don’t,” I tell her. “I can’t right now, can’t.”