"Yeah."
"What for?"
"They never told me," I shrug. "Probably some white-collar thing."
"Wills..." Mercy swallows thickly. "I don't think it was that."
"What was it, then?"
"Well..." She scoots closer, taking my hand in hers. "Scott has a buddy who's been to the same prison Nox was in."
"And?"
"And... he says, that prison's like, not for white-collar stuff. It's more hardcore."
"Okay." I narrow my eyes at her in confusion. "Like what, he caused a car crash?"
"No." She shakes her head, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. "Like, murder and shit."
I yank my hand from hers. "Nox didn't kill anyone."
"I think he did, Wills."
"Wow. You're seriously accusing him of that shit right now? Shouldn't you be more worried your boyfriend knows and hangs out with someone who's been to the same jail?"
I get up, ignoring the look of hurt on my friend's face.
"Wills, let's finish our conversation."
"No thanks," I hiss. "You obviously think the worst of me and my parents, so fuck that. Why don't you go and hang out with Scott?"
"Maybe I will." Mercy's demeanor changes and she glares back. "Since you've been spending every fucking second of your free time with Raphael, why shouldn't I? You obviously don't give a shit about me anymore."
"That's bullshit."
"Yeah, sure." She slams a twenty-dollar bill on the table.
"Let me pay," I say automatically, because I know Mercy and her mom are always broke.
"No." She glares at me from across the table. "I don't need your help. Not anymore."
She storms out of the café before I can react. I throw a guilty look at the remains of our Saturday brunch before walking out myself.
I can see Mercy waiting on the corner of the street. She glances at me, and for a moment I'm sure we'll get through this, she'll run toward me and envelop me in one of her famous hugs, and everything's going to be fine. But then Scott pulls up to the curb in his beat-up car. Mercy gives me an apologetic smile and gets in the car. All that's left for me to do is to watch it speed away.
I groan before calling myself an Uber, using Raphael's card to pay for it. He set this up for me a few days ago, so I could get to his apartment easier. Despite everything that just happened with Mercy, the smile won't leave my face as I start the journey to Daddy's apartment.
I'm coming unannounced today, but I'm sure Raphael won't mind. When I get into the lobby though, I see a woman arguing with the doorman. I instantly recognize her from the snooping I've done on Raphael. It's Elise, his ex.
And now she's spotted me, and her eyes grow dark with hate as she storms toward me. The doorman is panicking, nervously babbling into his phone while Elise reaches me.
"You," she spits out venomously. "You're the little fucking slut who stole my fiancé."
I look her in the eyes, muttering a half-sincere sorry.
"You will be sorry," she says ominously. "I'll make you regret ever setting eyes on him, you dirty little bitch."
"Hey, back off lady," I hiss in return. I'm not letting her treat me like this. "Get over it. He picked me."
"Because you fucking manipulated him." She's not done yet, digging in her purse and pulling out a checkbook. "How much do you want, whore? I'll pay you to leave him alone. I want you out of the picture."
Only a few short months ago, I would've been tempted by that money, but not today.
I try to walk away from her and head for the elevator when she grabs me by the ponytail and yanks me back. I shriek just as the elevator doors ding open and Raphael storms out.
He doesn't have to tell Elise to stop touching me. The look in his eyes is enough for her to unhand me in a second, her whole body shaking as I run into Raphael's embrace.
"I told you not to come back here," Raphael tells Elise, kissing the top of my head. "We're done, Elise. I'm sorry."
"You can't be fucking serious," she hisses in response. "You can't possibly pick her over me."
"You need to leave before I call the cops," he says calmly. "If I ever see you here or around Willa again, trust me when I say I'm going to destroy you."
I flush, glancing at his perfectly serious face. His jaw is set and he seems determined.
Elise purses her lips before storming away, not saying another word.
"Are you okay?" He pulls me closer, kissing the top of my hair.
"I'm fine, sorry, I shouldn't have come unannounced."
"I love it when you come unannounced," he whispers against my ear. "I'm so sorry you had to see that, trouble."
"She's still trying to get back with you, then."
"Seems pretty determined, yeah." He groans. "Come on, let's go upstairs. A hot chocolate will make us both feel better."