Lola couldn't see a thing through the tears blurring her vision. Her foot caught on something and she stumbled, falling hard. She caught herself with her hands, scraping her palms on the rough ground. Violent sobs rose from deep in her chest and tore from her mouth. Her shoulders shook. She couldn't get back up. It was as if the night air had suddenly gained weight—pressing down on her, trying to crush her.

Phantom and her brother.

It wasn't innocent flirting. Not even a drunken kiss she might've been able to forgive. No—her boyfriend had been fucking her brother. Right there, outside. Up against a fucking pillar, panting and growling like two animals.

Her supposedly asexual boyfriend.

A bitter taste filled her mouth. If he was that into asses, he could've taken hers. It's not like she wasn't open to things.

Though maybe that was the difference. He didn't just want anal sex. He didn't like women at all.

She couldn't believe it. She had asked him if he was into men, and he had denied it. Why? What the fuck was the point of this whole relationship if he'd rather have her brother?

She pushed herself up again. Her whole body trembled.

The image kept replaying in her head. His hands gripping Nathan's hips, the thrusting motion, the moan that cut through her and shattered something inside her.

"Lola..." Footsteps behind her. "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you, that—"

She spun around. "Tell me what? That you'd rather fuck my brother than me?"

He looked at her—helpless, almost.

She wanted to claw that expression off his face. He had no right to feel like shit. He was the one cheating. Here, where anyone could see them. Where people had seen them. Her fucking ex had come up to her saying her boyfriend and brother had gone outside and it looked serious.

She thought one of them had gotten sick. Or that they'd had a huge fight. Not... this. Just a few days ago, Nathan even told her he'd never do something so risky, that he was scared of blackmail. Well, no doubt Brandon had already tipped off someone from the press, hiding in the bushes capturing this whole mess. That was exactly his style.

Bastard. They were all bastards. Every fucking guy who talked to her tonight. Her jaw clenched when she saw her brother approaching too—hesitant, with all his buttons done up neatly again, like she hadn't just seen someone shove their dick up his ass.

How could she ever look him in the eye again? How—how could he do this to her? The anger broke, and a wave of grief crashed over her.

She had trusted them. Both of them.

"I don't ever want to see either of you again." That was the last thing she could say with even a shred of dignity before she broke down crying again, as if she'd just watched someone die.

She turned and ran from the building where she'd meant to humiliate her father. Instead, she was the one who had been humiliated—down to the core of her being.

The low heels she wore clicked sharply against the stone driveway. It was a harsh, lonely sound that only worsened her tears. Where could she go? Phantom had the key to their hotel room, and she'd rather sleep under a bridge than ask her parents—especially her father—for help.

She had no friends left. Her best friend was dead, and she hadn't replied to the others in ages. She'd pushed everyone away with her irrational fear of death, and now she felt like screaming for it to just come and get her already.

She reached the main road. Maybe she could order a cab. Have it take her... somewhere. Anywhere.

"Lola..."

She didn't know where he came from, but suddenly Brandon was beside her. Her jaw clenched. Her ex. The last person she wanted to see right now.

"What do you want?" she snapped. "Here to tell me I'm overreacting? That all men cheat so I shouldn't hold it against you?"

When she glared at him, there was no sympathy in his expression. What she did see—she couldn't place. A hardness that didn't fit him at all.

"Maybe it's for the best, the way things turned out."

She could've sworn he'd been wearing a light shirt earlier, but now he was dressed so dark he practically melted into the night.

"What kind of twisted response is that?" she bit back. "Drop dead, Brandon. Leave me alone."

"Afraid I have other plans."

He stepped around her. She tried to move away, but his arm stopped her—pulling her close. "Believe me, I don't like this. But you know how politics works: sometimes we have to sacrifice something for the greater good."

Lola's heart pounded against her ribs. What the hell was going on? She struggled and kicked back at him. It didn't help.

Her eyes scanned the street. Why was it so empty? Wait—there was a car, with someone inside. Lola screamed, waving her arms, desperate to get their attention.

A sweet smell invaded her nose. Her eyes watered as Brandon pressed a damp cloth to her face.

She stopped screaming abruptly, holding her breath.

But not for long. A hazy numbness took over, and her thoughts fell silent.