"No." She shook her head, her lips quivering. She refused to believe Markris despised her to the point of bringing another woman to his house.

"Lorena, please listen." He stretched out his hands, but she quickly sidestepped him. Her body trembled as she fought the urge to burst into tears.

"Markris!" Ariana called from outside, oblivious to the chaos she had stirred inside.

"I hate you!" She screamed, running to the door.

"Lorena, please listen to me." He followed after her. He couldn't thin

"Leave me alone." She said, pulling the door open. She pushed past the woman behind the door and, without glancing at her, sprinted straight across the...