Jade’s POV
I didn’t go to the training yard.
Didn’t report to the war table. Didn’t file the updated perimeter maps like I was supposed to.
Instead, I found the wine cache tucked behind the second-floor kitchen: the one Brielle had marked Only Break in Case of Political Collapse.
Close enough.
I grabbed the bottle, popped the cork with my teeth, and didn’t bother with a glass.
Fifteen minutes later, I was on the eastern tower’s outer ledge, legs dangling into the cold air, sipping straight from the bottle and muttering under my breath.
I chugged another mouthful of wine. Sweet. Berries and regret. Brielle’s favorite kind. Gross.
But I kept drinking anyway, because if I didn’t distract myself, I’d start thinking again. And thinking always led back to Simon.
To his stupid smirk.
To
