Outside the heavy wooden door, the cold air in the hallway felt like ice against Evelyn's skin. Every word spoken inside Room 402 cut straight through her soul. She felt her knees go weak, her hand trembling as she held onto the cold stone wall to keep from falling.

The sweet memory of their romantic dinner on the roof garden shattered into a million sharp pieces. She remembered how Julian had held her, how he had promised that she was the only woman who owned his heart. It all felt like a giant, cruel joke now.

Evelyn took a slow step backward, her dark leather boots making no sound on...