The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 22

"What's yours will always be yours."

Franco snapped the unlit cigarette in half between his fingers.

***

Petty had barely made it out of the hospital's enormous grounds. The White family's hospital was massive, the drive out wide and empty at this hour. Her mind was spinning. Tears blurred her vision, hot and unstoppable, and she clenched her jaw, furious with herself for falling apart like this.

That bracelet... Franco bought it, so of course, it was his. He could give it to any woman he wanted. It was his choice. She had no right to hope for more, no right to wish for his affection. She'd been greedy, thinking maybe, just maybe, she could matter to him.

Petty swiped at her tears, trying to pull herself together.

Out of nowhere, a black sedan raced past her, making her heart jump. She barely had time to process it before the car shot ahead, headlights cutting through the cold air. Under the streetlights, its paint flashed. It took a sharp turn, tires squealing against the road, and jerked to a stop, blocking her way.

Petty stomped on the brakes. Her car jerked to a halt. She gripped the steering wheel tight, her eyes still burning from crying, and stared at the sedan. Through the windshield, she caught a glimpse of the driver, a man in rimless glasses. Franco.

Shouldn’t he be with Laura right now? Did he come after her just to see how pathetic she was? Maybe he wanted to rub it in—Petty, you forced me to marry you, and this is your punishment. You don’t get what you want.

She let out a shaky laugh, another tear slipping down her cheek. Pressing her lips together, she hit the gas and turned the wheel, scraping past Franco’s car as she sped off.

The distance between their cars grew, and she pressed down harder on the accelerator.

But it didn’t last. Within seconds, the black sedan was right behind her, moving so fast it made her skin crawl. He overtook her in an instant, cutting her off again, forcing her to stop.

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