Page 211 of Burning Daylight

Frederick Lawrence framed Roman for the shooting on VU Campus just two nights ago, and when he had no way out…he turned the gun on himself.

And if that wasn’t enough to whet your drama-loving appetites? That graffiti painting the Calloways as the villains?

You’ll never believe it…

Frederick Lawrence.

Heather Argent has vanished and is currently wanted for questioning. But perhaps even more shocking: Beverly, the Calloway family’s longtime house manager and nanny, wasn’t Beverly at all.

Her real name?

Cassandra Troy.

She’s currently at large.

Rosebrook, your secrets are showing. Is there anything else left to uncover?

#ScandalInTheFalls #JusticeForJuliette #RomanMontgomeryRises #FamilyFeudWho#HeatherExposed #FrederickFraud #EleanorDeservedBetter #RosebrookRag

53

JULIETTE

There’s a beeping noise that won’t shut up, and it’s making my head pulse in time to its rhythm.

My mouth is dry. I try to swallow, and it feels like sharp razorblades cut through my throat.

There’s literally nothing that feels good on my entire body, except for the warmth that’s encasing my left hand.

I force my eyelids open, and they come undone like they were stuck together with glue. I blink a few times to clear the haze from my vision.

My brow furrows. I’m in my bedroom at home, but there’s a beeping monitor, and it’s hooked up to my arm. The noise grows faster as I come to, my heart pounding against my chest, and I’m trying like hell to piece together my memories.

Roman’s mom, and then feeling out of it, and now…I’m here.

I look down and let out a short gasp, my heart ratcheting up even more when I see Roman at my side, his hand encasing mine and his slow, controlled breaths puffing against my arm. He looks concerned even in sleep, his head resting on my shoulder, and he’s gripping me tightly.

The door to my room flies open, Felicity popping her head in. “Everything okay?”

I blink.

“She’s awake!” she yells into the hallway before bouncing around the corner.

I stare at her and she lets out a choked laugh. “Holy shit, Jules. When you decide to let loose and live, you really take that literally.”

There’s a warm hand on my cheek, and I twist to look into the cerulean-blue eyes of Roman.

My heart flutters.

“Juliette.” His voice comes out as a pained croak.

I lift my arm and stroke down his jaw, and he practically rips the glass of water from Felicity’s hand when she reaches the side of my bed, wordlessly holding it out for me.

She scoffs. “Can I not be reduced to the beverage girl in my own best friend’s resurrection arc?”

I laugh, but it makes my head throb.

Roman gives her a look and then holds the straw to my lips, and I drink greedily. The water is cold and perfect, soothing my parched throat.