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"How are you?" Sky looks at me with a mix of sympathy and concern swirling in her mocha-coloured eyes.

She wanted to stay over tonight to make sure I'll be okay though I reassured her I was fine and I'm sure Theo would only worry about her nevertheless. He's been so possessive lately and I didn't want to stress him.

"Don't worry, I feel better now. I promise." I'm glad I can focus on my music rather than dwell on the guy who already broke my heart a long time ago. I was kind of expecting something to happen somewhere down the line, it was too good to be true after all.

Reese Black had been a bad boy and player back in high school. Did I really think he could change?

He wasn't perfect and I knew that -- no one is perfect, however, I still trusted him because he told me he had matured. I believed it. I believed him. And my heart still wanted him. I never expected him to lie to me. He had another girl, a girl he claimed was only a friend.

He tried telling me he didn't remember sleeping with her, but I'm not foolish enough to believe he had no memory of their night together. Even if it was a mistake, he must have some recollection of that night.

"You know I'll always be here for you, right? You're stuck with me and you'll get through this." Sky places her hand on my arm, comforting me. I smile, but my eyes don't show it.

"Did you tell Theo about Reese?"

"No. I figured I'd let you talk to him about it first, he thinks we're having a girly night in." I nod my head. I'm truly thankful I have so many good people around me. No matter how much money I may have now, no materialistic thing can ever replace the people I have in my life.

I jump when my phone rings on the side table. I pick up the device, I see it read Sasha's name on the bright screen.

"Hello?" I answer after the first two rings.

"Hey, how are you doing girl?" Sasha's sweet, velvety voice rings through the speaker.

"I'm good thanks, how's the song coming along?" I'm pretty sure Sasha's still at the studio working on a few new songs on her latest album. I should be there too, though I can't seem to get out of this slump I'm in.

"Good yeah, I was calling you about the new music you sent me," I blush thinking about the song I previously sent to Sasha. The song I wrote about Reese. It was raw and emotional. It poured out of me when I was in a very vulnerable state. Now I can't stand to hear it.

"Oh yeah?" I destroyed it after I sent Sasha a picture of the first draft. Frankly, I forgot all about it.

Does she like it? Or does she think it's awful and no one will want to hear it?

"It's incredible! Wow, Marnie, I have no words. You truly are a star! I felt every emotion that you talked about and the melody! I'm sure it will jump to number one when it's released."

A smile lights up my entire face. Sky watches me with a slightly bewildered expression, probably wondering why I look like a little kid on Christmas day. Sky hasn't heard my latest song and when she does, she'll know exactly who the song is about.

"Really? You think it's that good?" If Sasha thinks it's good then that's enough for me. Maybe I should give it a chance, regardless of who it is about.

"Hell yes! I can tell how much the lyrics meant to you. It's powerful. I'm telling you, this song is gold Marnie."

Warmth spreads through my heart at Sasha's compliment. "Thanks, Sasha."

"You're welcome, I'll see you bright and early tomorrow in the studio, yeah?" We're back in the studio to finish the duet song on my latest album. "Yeah, see you tomorrow."

After ending the call, Sky and I spend the rest of the day pampering ourselves with mud face masks, pedicures and manicures. At seven, Theo picks up Sky while she questions if I'll be okay at home by myself. I'm a big girl and reassure her I'm perfectly fine. I'm sure this slump won't last forever, I need to move on.

By eight, I pick out a movie to watch and eat my favourite tub of chocolate-flavoured ice cream while settling on the leather sofa. This is my happy place. Netflix and snacks are all I need in life instead of boyfriends who play with your heart. No thanks, I'm done.

As the end credits roll, I hear strange noises coming from the outside of my apartment, like people chatting behind the door. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. What's going on out there?

I shift my legs over the sofa and wrap a fluffy beige blanket around my body. My feet touch the cool floor and then I slowly pad towards the front door.

I can hear whispering on the other side, though I can't make out what is being said.

Suddenly the lock is turned and I jump back. A dark silhouette steps inside the room, the lights are off and my heart races when I see a tall figure walk into my home -- who isn't Mike or Theo.

Is this one of my new bodyguards? Or security in the building?

As I get a better look at the man's face, relief floods through me before a rush of pain strikes my heart.

Reese locks eyes with me, his expression looks tired and stressed. Yet I see the longing and determination in his dark green orbs. I take a small step back, hugging my arms against me and staring at the marble floor.

No. No, he can't be here.

"What are you doing here Reese? How did you get in here?" I choke out.

I don't want to look at him, I can't bear the pain in my heart.

A few seconds of awkward silence later and I risk a peak. He rakes his brown curls between his fingers. His eyes close, his dark lashes casting a shadow across the top of his cheeks. Dark purple bags appear underneath his eyes and his skin is ashen. When did he last sleep?

I hold my breath as I stare at the exhausted man who broke my heart and I still can't seem to get him out of my head.

"Your bodyguard was pretty easy to persuade. His two daughters are big fans of Black Hearts. So, after an autograph and a personal video, he let me through without a second thought." Seriously? How is Mike so easily manipulated? He's supposed to be my bodyguard.

I know Reese is famous and I know we've seen each other a handful of times, but what if he was a serial killer? I may need to talk to Mike, I note.

"So what do you want?" I clear my throat, changing the subject to make him leave quicker. I'm tired and my bed is calling my name.

"I had to talk to you."

I shake my head, feeling frustrated before he's even started explaining why he's here. I can't stand excuses and lies. Ethan tried covering up his mistakes. I'm not naive enough to fall for these tricks anymore. I'm done.

Sighing, I take a sudden interest in my fluffy white and pink striped socks. My feet get cold during the winter, so I have to wear warm clothing. I hate the cold, I prefer summer. "We talked everything through Reese, there's nothing more to be said." I shrug my shoulders.

Why does he keep dragging this out? Why can't he let me go? Does he really want to hurt me more than he already has?

Reese pursed his rose-coloured lips, watching me with a pained look in his eyes. "Marnie--"

A wave of pain hits me when he says my name. It hurts, it hurts too much. "No, Reese."

"Marnie please--"

I feel the walls closing in on me, my anxiety and anger hitting me full force.

No, enough. I can't do this.

"No, stop! Just stop! I'm not getting into this again!" I want to pull my hair out of my head. I want to scream but I fear no one will listen. Nobody does, because I'm expected to do what everyone says, I have no say in anything. It sucks.

We've been here so many times before and I'm sick of repeating myself. He needs to let me go, for good.

"You've screwed up and I know why you're here. You came to apologise -- then maybe I'll give you another chance, right? I can't give you another chance Reese, you're out of chances. You lied to me. Clearly, you aren't the changed man that you claimed you were."

God, I'm sick of people treating me like I'm a child. I make my own decision's in life and I won't stand anyone trying to tell me what I want.

"I am. That's why I'm here. I have changed, Marnie." Reese pleads.

"Bullshit!" I snap.

"Will you just listen to me for a minute!" He steps closer to me, irritation paints his face which further outrages me.

"Fuck you! God, I'm so sick of men treating me like I'm nothing but a spoilt little rich girl and that's why you lie and cheat behind my back, right? You're still the same guy back in high school Reese. You'll never change because you can't. You're reckless and I need someone stable and I can trust -- who won't hurt me. I'll never be able to depend on you and you know it. So leave. Get out of my life. We are over."

I have to catch a breath after I'm done screaming in his face. His expression veers from shock to sadness and now he looks utterly heartbroken.

"Marnie, listen--" his voice is small, timid. He looks like he's on the verge of tears.

"Go home to your pregnant girlfriend Reese. That's where you should be right now." he opens his mouth to speak before Mike steps into the room after hearing me yelling.

He looks alarmed by our heated argument. He masks his expression, clearing his throat.

"Miss Love? Is everything okay in here?" his voice is low and husky.

I sigh, my head pounding and my eyes stinging with fresh tears. I didn't think I had any tears left to cry for Reese Black.

"Mike, could you please escort Reese out of the building please." Mike's eyebrows raise while his hazel-coloured eyes are curious to know why I'm throwing the most hottest rock star on the planet out of the building.

We share a look and he nods his head. "Yes, Miss Love." Mike steps toward Reese while Reese grabs my elbow with one hand, his other turning my face towards him.

"Marnie, wait. Let me just tell you something before I leave. You won't hear from me again. Just let me tell you!" I brush my arm off as Mike ushers Reese out of my home.

"Marnie!" Reese struggles behind Mike's tall build and a traitorous tear falls from my eye, watching him go. My heart is beating like crazy, I feel like my chest is about to explode.

With a defeated sigh, Reese drops his head, before storming out of my apartment and I'm left feeling guilty and shaken.

Mike leaves with Reese and I sit on the edge of the sofa, rubbing a hand over my face.

Minutes go by before I finally hear movement at the front door. I glance over, expecting to see Mike step through the doorway. Instead, I see a figure loom over me wearing a dark outfit that the security in my building usually wears.

My eyes lock onto the man's face and my body freezes. All air leaves my lungs and I shudder in fear.

My eyes widen when I see the person I least expect to walk into my home. A face I haven't seen in three years. "Jaxon?"

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