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Sylvia was a successful influencer of several brand names. She wore their clothes and used their beauty products, promoting the items to her millions of followers. Some of whom were celebrities. She lived in the limelight, whereas I preferred a private life.

Did Arrow like those kinds of women? Clearly, I wasn’t his type.

I looked away and rushed out of the restaurant. As I darted to my car, I noticed a man standing outside the restaurant wearing a clown mask.

Fear spiked in me, and I completely froze in place. He looked at meand tilted his head. Then he strode off, blending in with the crowds of people on the sidewalk.

My body trembled, and I got to my car,slid inside, and dropped the takeout bag in the passenger seat.

My heart raced, and I took a moment to breathe.

Ghost is dead.Stop freaking yourself out.

That was just someone who liked clowns.

I placed a hand on my erratic heart as I turned on my car engine and activated the wipers. Someone carrying abouta dozen birthday balloons headed into a family restaurant across the street. Was the clown hired for the party?

Was I overreacting?

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

ARROW

I thoughtI’d seen Vivian Friday night, but it was raining outside, and the restaurant was packed. I’d been thinking about her too much, so every time I saw an attractive woman, I assumed it was her.

Wishedit were her.

This longing was becoming an annoying distraction. I should concentrate on other things demanding my attention, but she was like a firefly flickering her light while I wandered along my dark path. How could I not follow? She could lead me straight into hell, and I didn’t have the willpower to resist.

Arrow:Hi. How’s your weekend?

She didn’t reply.

I continued working on Level Five, which was a multiverse that allowed the players to hop around various countries to search for villains to destroy. I wanted to create a power that encompassed water and fire elements, but nothing seemed distinctive enough to make my game stand out from my friends’ worlds. My creativity had been sluggish, and I needed to fix that.

My mind had been occupied trying to find the asshole who betrayed me, ensuring my Bambooze Series would be well received and locating elite members of The Trogyn. Aside from that, Holt Enterprises was growing exponentially, and it needed my attention to oversee the expansion. One wrong move could put all my work in jeopardy.

I glanced over at the wine cabinet in my office. Wine from all over the world was on display. Most people would think I loved wine and all forms of alcohol. But they’d be wrong. My relationship with it didn’t start out with affection.

I hated it. My body jerked as it remembered the reason for my hatred and dark memories poured out of me.

“Where the fuck have you been?” Dad slurs from the couch, glaring at me with glassy eyes.

The stench of alcohol reeks in the room, making me want to gag. There’s already an empty bottle of whiskey on the table.

Fear makes me squirm as I slide off my backpack. Every time he drinks, he becomes a monster. He didn’t use to drink like this. Something happened to him one day, and he changed. When Mom was still alive, she tried to help, but she was too sick to do much. I think his drinking made it worse for her.

I hate him for that. I may have a father, but I feel just as lonely and abandoned as if I’m an orphan.

“I was studying at Remi’s house.”

“You’re an hour late.” He sneers and pushes himself up from the couch.

“I told you what time I’d be home this morning?—”

A fist connects to my face, and my head snaps back. The force sends me against the side table, knocking everything down. I fall to the ground as my vision blurs and pain bursts on my cheek.

“Don’t you dare talk back to me!” He kicks me and pulls out his belt. “You live in MY house. You followmyrules. Understand?”