Page 104 of The Bitter Words

I come home from my design studio with my heart full for the first time since Callum broke it by cheating on me with Zara. Since that happened, I’ve put all my focus on my business and it’s paying off.

He leaves voice messages and texts every day, saying he needs to explain and asking for another chance. My response is no response at all.

It’s been easy to avoid him, but Mayhem got back in town last night and I’m waiting for the fallout.

I mosey into the kitchen. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, darling.” She pops a cherry tomato into her mouth and peeks at the opening to the downstairs.

“You’ll be excited to learn those manufacturing leads you gave me are working out great.” I place my bags down on a built-in desk on the other counter.

“Yeah?”

“Yep. Everything’s coming together. I’ll even be able to launch a few high-end items to give to a few key influencers by the time the four big fashion weeks start.”

She swallows and her wary gaze lands on me. “That’s wonderful news.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, but you need to prepare yourself.”

“For?” My stomach turns.

“Cash is here.”

My pulse skyrockets. “Here? As in right now?”

“Yes.” She rounds the island and rushes to me. “He doesn’t know you’re home yet, but he says he’s not leaving until he speaks to you.”

“No! He doesn’t get that from me. Why would you let him in?” I glance around for a place to hide. “Where the hell is his car? How did I not see it?”

“Well, that’s another problem.”

I stare at her with a thousand-pound truck running over my rib cage. “Why does that sound like there’s a lot more I need to know?”

“He’s not in a good state.” She runs her palms down my biceps. “He’s been a mess since you ran out of his hotel room. I wasn’t supposed to tell you, but I saw it for myself today.”

“He should’ve thought of that before Zara got into his bed.”

“I know, but…” My mom’s shoulders roll forward. “Livianna, I’m worried about him.”

My mouth gapes and my eyebrows shoot up. “Wow. He cheats and I’m somehow responsible for his behavior afterward. Unbelievable.”

“No, darling. That’s not what I’m suggesting. I’m just saying you had us to lean on. He’s been on the road and isn’t coping well.”

I spin away, grab my stuff, and stomp up the back staircase. “In case you’ve forgotten, my wrists are barely healed.”

Billows of fire fume inside my chest. Since that day, my anxiety level has been off the charts.

My cutting is at an all-time high and working on my business is making it worse. The last thing I need is to help Callum get over his regret and guilt.

“Fuck him!” I fly into my room and throw my stuff on my bed. “I need to figure out a way to get out of this town.Maybe out of the state. Hell, out of the country would be better.”

Mayhem is recording in LA for the next year. I can’t be around that long without him getting to me.

I pace my room. Where can I go where he can’t find me?

I’ve lost most of my so-called friends because I’m out of acting and can’t help anyone land a job anymore, rendering me useless to them. Hollywood isn’t known for cultivating long relationships.