Anthony's POV
—
I didn't say a word on the drive. I couldn't.
If I opened my mouth, I feared something dark would come out. Rage. Regret. Maybe even fear.
Alicia sat beside me, curled up in my jacket, silently staring ahead—but not peacefully.
I could feel the tension bleeding off her skin, the way her hand clutched my jacket tighter.
I should've pulled her close. Told her it would be okay. Held her so tightly she'd never have to feel that kind of tension again. But I didn't know if I could.
I kept seeing the torn dress.
The open bottle.
The chaos backstage.
The way she froze—like a blade had sliced through her from the inside.
And all I could think was, someone wants her gone. Out of the picture.
Not just scared. Gone.
Because of me.
Because she was with me.
My jaw clenched, shame tightening around my throat.
I had brought her into this. And I didn't know how to let go—even if that was the only way to protect her.
