Keira, I don’t want to live anymore.]


    I stared at it for a few seconds, my pulse racing. Without thinking, I called her on voice chat. She


    didn’t pick up.


    I wasn’t giving up. I dialed Demi’s number again. Still no answer. So I tried her office instead.


    “Is Demi there?” I asked as soon as someone picked up.


    “She’s on leave,” the voice on the other end said, and for a second, it felt like my heart had dropped


    into my stomach. Before I could even ask anything else, the guy added, “Are you Ms. Kay?”


    I hadn’t expected him to recognize my voice.


    I


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    “Yeah, that’s me. Do you k why Demi’s on leave? How long is she off for?” I pressed, starting to


    panic. “She took personal leave, I think for three days. She’s supposed to be back tomorrow. If


    you’re looking for her, you could try her cell,” he replied politely, even though I was no longer the


    CEO’s fiancee.


    I was genuinely worried about Demi, so I pressed further. “I’ve tried calling her, but it’s not going


    through. Is there any other way to reach her?”


    “No, I’m afraid not.”


    The bluntness of that response made my anxiety spike Something was definitely wrong with Demi,


    but being stuck here made it impossible for me to check on her in person.


    I had to ask for help. “This is urgent. I’ve tried everything. Can you please go check on her? Like,


    now? I’ll call your department head and exin.”


    “….Alright, I’ll go after my shift.”


    But I couldn’t wait that long.


    “Go now. Just let your department head know- I’ll sort it out with them.”


    “Understood, Ms. Kay.”


    The


    person agreed, and I quickly hung up, dialing Demi’s supervisor. Thankfully, they were cool about it


    and gave me the green light immediately. Even though I wasn’t technically their boss anymore, it


    seemed like they still didn’t want to mess with me–especially with my connection to the Johnstons.


    When the call ended, I stared at Demi’s message again, my stomach in knots. I quickly typed out a


    series


    of texts.


    [What’s going on? Why aren’t you picking up?]


    [You’ve always said nothing matters more than surviving this crazy world. What happened to that?


    Why would you even think about giving up now?]


    [Demi, please. Think about your parents. Think about the people who care about you. If you hurt


    yourself, I swear I won’t forgive you.]


    [Demi, please just reply.]


    1 send one text after another, but it was like I was sending messages into a void. No reply.


    Nothing.


    I sat there, trapped in my anxiety, not sure what else to do.


    Then the part time maid showed up. She must’ve been prepped by Wayne, because she didn’t look


    the least bit shocked to see me. In fact, she greeted me like we were old friends and even brought


    me a te of freshly washed fruit


    Her name was Lizzy Honestly, her arrival was a nice distraction from the storm of worry inside my


    head. At least I had something else to focus on for a minute


    “Miss Kay, you should really check out the rooftop terrace. Mr. Johnston has an amazing setup up


    It’s perfect for someone like you, Lizzy suggested with a smile.


    I didn’t have the energy to argue. Sitting here was only making me more restless.


    there.


    I followed her up to the rooftop, and when I saw the view, I actually gasped. There was a pool, a


    bar, bookshelves and the awning–motorized, of course-was closed for the day to provide shade, but


    would open up at night for stargazing.


    Wayne really knew how to live.


    But what really caught my eye was the big lounge chair. The exact same kind I used to love back at


    the Johnston residence. I stood there, staring at it for a second.


    Could it just be a coincidence? Or had Wayne bought it because he knew I liked that style?