The night was unforgiving.
Lydia walked briskly down the empty street, her heels clicking on the pavement, suitcase dragging behind her, and the echo of Antony's slap still ringing in her ears. Her cheek stung, but it was nothing compared to the fire raging in her heart.
Her brother had hit her. Because of Rita.
The same Rita who had once been her best friend.
The same Rita who had turned Antony into a lovesick fool.
The city lights blurred through her tears, but Lydia refused to let them fall. She wouldn't cry. Not for them. Not for anyone.
She checked into a cheap motel on the outskirts of the city, the kind that didn't ask questions. Alone in the dimly lit room, she finally collapsed on the bed, staring blankly at the cracked ceiling.
Flashes of the past haunted h
