Page 223 of Money Reigns

“What’s that?”

Shit.

I scramble to sit up, trying to shove the box under the covers.

But she’s already seen it.

“Wait. Are those… macarons?” Her nose scrunches. “I figured you’d have your signature heartbreak girl snacks, chips, chocolate or jelly beans. Not fancy rainbow cookies.”

I sniff, cheeks hot. “They’re from France.”

I open the box anyway, because it’s already ruined, and hold it out to her.

She takes a delicate green one, bites in, chews slow. “Hmm. Not bad.”

I smile through the sting in my chest. “He used to keep them in the penthouse. Had them shipped from Paris, just because I liked them.”

My voice catches.

“And now… he left a box in my parents’ fridge. For me. Like he knew I’d need them. He wasso goodto me.”

The tears fall without asking.

Ella doesn’t say anything at first. Just chews slowly. Then, with that signature bluntness of hers—

“Then why don’t you go to him?”

I blink at her, tears sliding sideways down my face.

“Because…” I swallow hard. “Because he told me I’m free. And I don’t know if I want to be or not.”

Ella nods slowly, understanding more than I expect her to.

“These are really good,” she murmurs, grabbing another one.

I laugh wetly, wiping my cheeks.

Then her head tilts. “Wait. He took you to France?!”

I nod.

The question rips the breath from me. My throat locks as the memory surges; the weekend in Paris. The Seine at night. His hand warm around mine as the city glittered. His mouth on me in a hotel that smelled of jasmine and rain.

I sob, covering my face.

Ella doesn’t speak.

Instead, she climbs into bed beside me and curls up like she used to when we were kids, arms folded, warmth offered.

“Shhh. It’s okay, Liv.” Her voice is soft now, anchoring. “He’s at the inn. He’s here until Friday. He doesn’t want to leave without you.”

She brushes her thumb across my wrist.

“You have time, okay?” she whispers. “You don’t have to decide today.”

And somehow that’s worse. Because I’ll see him again. And it’ll hurt.

But I nod anyway.