You’re an incredible mother.”
I roll my eyes at Julia. “That doesn’t exactly make me feel great. Knowing this whole town hates me.”
She waves me off. “They’ll get over it.”
I hope so. If this is where I’m forced to stay, I don’t want to deal with hateful glares any longer. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m waiting on another scandal to come forth, so everyone will leave me alone.
After paying for breakfast, we all file into the car, and I’m just about to drive off when I realize I left my phone. Julia stays in the car with Luna while I run inside to look for it near our table. I’m in such a hurry, I don’t pay attention to where I’m going—or who’s in front of me, and I slam into someone.
“Ouch!”
My body goes rigid at the sound of Holly’s voice.
Once I regain my footing, I run a nervous hand over my hair, trying to flatten it. “Holly, crap—I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you.”
Her gaze narrows on me. She drags her eyes up and down my body, her upper lip curling in obvious distaste. “You know, I didn’t get it at first, but I think I do now.”
My brows tug low over my face. “Get what?”
“End’s anger with me. He’s never forgiven me for breaking things off with him for Thomas. It’s why they got in a fight yesterday. Everything about last night makes so much more sense.” She scoffs, and my stomach churns unsteadily. Seeing as Endymion kissed me last night, I suddenly have a bad feeling. It worms its way down my spine in a cold chill.
What does she know about last night?
“What do you mean?”
There’s a gleam in her eyes that doesn’t quite sit right with me. “I saw you two last night. And I’m saying this to help you, sweetie, this is End’s MO. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself. He’s getting back at me through you, don’t you see? I planned on stopping by to tell you myself.”
Acid burns the back of my throat and my lungs clench, restricting air. “Tell me what?” My voice is pensive. Reminiscent of how I feel.
She smiles now, and it’s a dagger to the chest. “After he left you and your sweet little daughter, I went to his place.”
My heart is a dull throb in my chest as I process. Tears burn the backs of my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. Not when that’s clearly what she wants to happen.
“I need to go.” I brush past her, and with each step I take, I feel my heart shattering at my feet, crumbling to pieces.
“Bye, Selene,” she calls out after me, victory ringing loudly in her tone.
I damn near run out of there, phone all but forgotten. My feet skid to a halt when I see who is standing outside of the car, talking to Luna through the window. My heart throbs at the sight of him. Anger and something else I’m too afraid to dissect run through me.
“I was just about to head in there and tell you your phone was in the cup holder this whole time. Wait—what’s wrong?” Julia calls out through the open window as I round the car.
I bypass End, ignoring him completely. I can’t look at him right now, not after hearing what Holly just told me. I’m sure most of it was fabricated to make me angry, but the problem is, it worked. I’ll never feel secure enough with this man. There is too much baggage on my side. I’m not confident enough for this. I went years being invisible to this man. Why should now be any different?
“Selene, you all right?” End asks.
A burning sensation slithers down my throat, slowly seeping into my chest. It’s agonizing.
Just then, Holly walks out with a self-satisfied grin on her face. My gut cramps with anger. Endymion glances from me to her, his brows creasing, obviously sensing that something is wrong.
Suppressed rage bubbles to the surface. “I don’t know, End. Why don’t you ask Holly?”
The muscle in his jaw clenches, making him look severe. “I don’t want to ask her. I’m asking you.”
“I think I know what’s happening here, Endy. See, I told poor little Selene about last night, and I think I upset her.”
Endymion’s gaze swings to hers, fury written all over him. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
I glance back toward the car to check on Luna. Through my haze of hurt and anger, I