Chapter 23: After the Forecast

Eliza's POV

I sat in the dark shop in my torn silk dress with my bare feet on the cold floor.

I had taken a cab from the hotel with no shoes and no plan, and told the driver Fishtown.

The cooler hummed. The room smelled of eucalyptus and wet stems.

I had said yes, and I had said no, and I did not feel like a woman who had won anything.

I felt empty and light, and very tired.

The bell rang.

I did not turn around.

"The door was open," Cillian said. "Dani found these on the steps and knew where you'd gone."

He set my silver sandals on the worktable, with the buckles still done up.

I looked at them.

"I don't know why I left," I said.

"I do."

"Tell me."

"You've been braced for three weeks." He sat down on the stool across from me, slowly. "Tonight you stopped."

I put my face in my hands.

He didn't touch me. He waited, and I felt how much it cost him.

"Dani texted," he said. "Joan's with the station manager. They're putting out a statement."

"Saying what?"

"I'll read it to you."

He held up his phone.

Channel 6 has ended its relationship with Trevor Ames, effective immediately.

We apologize to our viewers, and to the women involved, for the pain this has caused.

The next message was from Joan.

Your account is whole. I wired the difference at midnight, against his name, not yours.

He owes me now. Come to dinner Sunday. Bring the boy.

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