I couldn't stay in that penthouse anymore when his voice in my mind on repeat:
She's not smart enough to look anyway. She's too trusting and naive.
I needed air. I texted Asher:
Going shopping. Need some new supplies for my studio. Be back before dinner.
His reply was immediate:
Have fun! Love you.
Love you.
The words made my blood boil but I typed back:
Love you too.
I went to a big shopping mall downtown. The kind of mall where you could disappear into the crowd. I didn't actually need anything. I just walked from store to store.
In a jewellery supply store, I picked up a wire I didn't need, few beads I'd never use. I paid with his credit card. I was using his money while planning his destruction.
I was leaving the store when I saw Maya Wu. She was standing at the escalator with her phone in her hand. For a second I just stared. Then she saw me, and her face lit up.
"Rysa? Oh my God, Rysa!"
