Chapter 10: Don’t Let Me Ruin the Mood

Just then, Eli’s phone rang.

The moment he answered, Sloane’s tearful voice came through.

“I’m at the rooftop bar… I’m scared to come down.”

Grant and Eli bolted from the room.

The rooftop bar was closed for the night. Sloane was curled up by the floor-to-ceiling windows, barefoot, clutching half a glass of wine.

Grant took off his coat and wrapped it around her. Eli crouched to check her ankle. They flanked her, shielding her between them.

I stood a few feet away, an outsider.

Grant turned and looked at me, his gaze like ice.

“Apologize to Sloane.”

I almost laughed.

“For what?”

“She’s in this state, and you’re still pushing her?”

“She used disappearing as a threat to make me give up my mother’s quilt.”

“Do you have proof she did it on purpose?”

Eli lowered his voice, trying to reason with me. “Mara, the wedding has to go on. You’re still marrying Grant. Don’t push everyone to the brink over this.”

The brink.

My quilt had been cut to pieces. I was the one being told to apologize.

And I was suddenly exhausted.

“Fine.”

Some of the tension left Grant’s face. Eli looked relieved.

I turned to Sloane.

She was tucked against Grant’s chest, looking up at me through tear-filled eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

Then I reached into my pocket, took out the brass room tag, removed my engagement ring, and slowly threaded it through the hole at the top.

SERVICE ENTRANCE.

I set it gently on the bar.

“Go ahead with the wedding rehearsal tomorrow.”

My voice was quiet. “Don’t let me ruin the mood.”

Grant’s expression changed. He was about to speak when Sloane pressed a hand to her forehead.

“Grant, my head really hurts…”

He immediately bent to look at her, and Eli moved to steady her.

In that one second, I turned, walked out of the bar, and pressed the button for the elevator.

No one came after me.

The elevator doors slid shut.

I didn’t look back.