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Cadence

PRESENT TIME

Quinn Enterprises Under Federal Investigation

It's become my habit in the past week to check the news as soon as I wake up, and I'm not surprised to find all the local papers - whether it's Harbour Locke Daily or Connecticut Today - still talking about my father's downfall.

That's just how the world works,I reflect absently to myself while looking at my wardrobe. Misery loves company, and most people have a tendency to feel better when they see others have it worse. It's just how the world works—-

"Not that one."

—-while what clearly isn't working at all is our building security, which has me clumsily spinning around and gaping at the sight of Keiran leaning against the doorframe like it’s the most natural thing in the world to be in my bedroom at 6 a.m. uninvited.

“H-How did you—-"

"I own this building."

What?

"And while we're being honest, I'm also the one behind DL Venture Capital."

No wonder my rent here is so unbelievably cheap.

And when I remember how I cried in relief after receiving DL Venture Capital's offer to bankroll my restaurant startup...

The blouse I'm clutching falls from my fingers, and I fall back down on the edge of my bed when my knees threaten to fold. I used to feel proud about finding a way to free myself from my parents' control and do things on my own. But am I really as independent as I thought I was...if Keiran had been pulling the strings from behind all along?

"Aren't you going to tell me I'm lying?"

I shake my head. Keiran doesn't lie. I had to learn that the hard way. But one thing I still don't understand?

"Why?" Why go through all those lengths to help me?

"Because you're my responsibility," he answers curtly.

He's basically saying he no longer loves me.

Right?

Questions race through my mind, but I'm scared to ask any of them.

Everything's happening so, so fast.

Just like before.

"Did you mean what you said last night?"

Please take me back.

My head jerks up at the question. "Yes." Because if there's one other thing I've learned from the past three years, it's how much I love him, and how that will never change.