With a strange sense of calm, I moved toward the window. My room was on the top floor—high enough for the fall to be certain.
I slid the window open, and a rush of cold air hit me like a slap. The wind howled around me, stinging my skin, but I felt nothing but relief. Almost there. Just a little further, and I’d be free. I closed my eyes, steadying my breath, ready to let go.
But then everything froze.
I was yanked back so violently that my shoulder screamed in pain, my muscles straining to keep up with the force. I opened my eyes, heart pounding, to find Ethan Carrington—the last person I wanted to see—gripping my arm like a vice.
His face was drenched with sweat, eyes wide with panic. “What are you doing?” he demanded, his voice shaking. “Seriously, just because my brother didn’t pick you, you’re going to do this? What’s going on in that head of yours?”
I met his gaze coolly, my voice a sharp edge. “Let go, Ethan.”
He tightened his grip, his jaw clenched in frustration. “Not a chance. You think I’m gonna let you throw it all away like this?”
I slowly started prying his fingers off one by one, each movement sending a shock of pain through me. “You’d be better off if I just disappeared. Just let me go.”
