Chapter 6 – Exit Wounds
642 Words
The party was still in full swing when Emma slipped out the side entrance.
Five minutes before the official closing time.
She couldn't breathe in there anymore.
The flashing lights.
The murmurs.
The eyes that watched her like she didn’t belong.
Her heels echoed softly against the pavement as she made her way down the grand staircase toward the parking lot.
“Leaving already?” a voice said behind her.
She turned.
It was him again — Scott Donovan. His hands tucked into his suit pockets, his blue eyes gleaming in the shadows.
Emma exhaled. “Yeah. I’ve had enough for one night.”
Scott stepped closer, but kept his voice low.
“You handled yourself well in there.”
She gave a small, tired smile. “Thanks.”
He studied her face for a moment, then said, “But be careful.”
Emma’s smile faded.
“People like us,” Scott continued, “we’re used to a certain kind of madness. But the Donovans? Their kind of chaos runs deep.”
She said nothing, her heart thudding.
“I’m not saying he’s the worst of them,” he added, glancing back toward the building. “But... let’s just say, Alex doesn’t lose. Ever. And anyone too close when he’s playing the game—”
He paused. “—usually becomes part of the collateral.”
Emma’s mouth went dry.
Before she could speak, headlights washed over them. The black car pulled up silently behind her. The back door opened.
Scott stepped back. “Good luck, Emma.”
She slipped inside without replying.
---
In the Car
The air inside was cool and silent. Alex sat beside her, scrolling on his phone like nothing happened.
Emma stared out the window for a moment, then turned to him.
“So,” she said dryly, “are the kisses part of the contract now? Or just a bonus?”
Alex didn’t even blink. “Don’t overthink it.”
“Oh, sorry,” she muttered, “just trying to keep up with the performance.”
He put his phone down and finally looked at her — eyes cold, unreadable.
“This isn’t a fairytale,” he said flatly. “We made a deal. Don’t start confusing reality with stage lights.”
Emma scoffed. “Right. Because nothing says normal like random kisses and being dragged into a world I didn’t ask for.”
He turned back toward the window.
“Just focus on what the public sees. That’s all that matters.”
Emma swallowed her next words and leaned back in the seat, jaw clenched.
The rest of the ride was silent.
---
Back Home
She stepped into her apartment and kicked off her heels, exhaustion hitting her like a wave.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she unzipped the dress and hung it carefully — like it might shatter if dropped.
She walked to the bathroom, wiped the makeup from her face, and stared at her reflection for a long second.
Who even was she right now?
Her phone buzzed.
Tasha.
Of course.
Emma sank onto the bed and opened the message.
Tasha:
> GIRL.
Have you seen the news???
That kiss.
That freaking kiss.
You broke the damn internet.
Emma rolled her eyes.
Emma:
> Please don’t start.
Tasha:
> I’m serious.
Everybody’s talking about it.
I saw it on two celeb blogs and even on freaking t****k.
People are obsessed with you.
One headline literally said “Mr. Donovan’s Mystery Girl is Serving FIRE.”
Emma didn’t reply immediately.
Then another message popped up.
Tasha:
> And don’t you DARE fall in love with him.
Emma stared at the screen.
Her thumbs hovered over the keyboard… then stopped.
She locked her phone and dropped it on the pillow beside her.
She wasn’t falling in love.
She was surviving.
At least, she hoped so.
- Writer
