To the Ends of the Earth

Prologue: Unbroken

If only I could be a wild mustang.

The fierce horses fascinated me. They looked so majestic and free as they ran through the desert plateau. I stared more closely at the photograph that captured the beautiful creatures in their element. The herd of mustangs were racing so quickly they looked like they were flying.

If only I could be as strong and fast as them.

I daydreamed about being as magnificent and unbroken as the horses in the photo but, unfortunately, my fantasy was interrupted by Virginia Vivi Richardson. Vivi was a lifelong family friend. Although, I used the term 'friend' very loosely. Our families had known each other for generations and so Vivi was forced upon me from the day I was born. However, I viewed her as somewhat de-trop. From my earliest memories, she didn't hide her obvious aversion toward me. Vivi, who's a year older than me, never liked to share the spotlight, and her egoistic characteristics translated into acts of jealousy, competitiveness, and spitefulness.

As Vivi approached me, sipping on some champagne, I gathered patience to be able to deal with her.

"There you are, Lottie," she said, smiling smugly. "You're always hiding in some corner."

"I was just appreciating Carlo's work," I mumbled back. "He's very talented."

"Yeah well, it's just a bunch of pictures of landscapes and animals. All those years studying visual arts and he chooses to take pictures of feral animals."

I bit my tongue to avoid starting an argument with her. Vivi wasn't someone I enjoyed antagonizing. She was very eristical and was amused by any dispute simply because it gave her an opportunity to win. Plus, Carlo Ricci was an exceptional artist and didn't need me to defend him. He was one of our most successful friends from Columbia University, where Vivi and I attended for our undergraduate degrees.

"Did you know William Henderson was going to come tonight?" she asked with deceptive casualness.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I knew he was in New York, opening his second office location, but I didn't know he was invited tonight."

"Mhmm, I bet you didn't."

I remained silent, not wanting to give her any ammunition regarding Liam. If she knew I was interested in him, her competitiveness would kick in. I knew Liam ever since my older brother, Alex, became friends with him at Stanford University. We'd been friendly from the day we met but over the holidays —while I was visiting LA— our interactions had gotten very flirty. After many years, I finally gained the courage to view a man in a romantic manner, and I didn't want Vivi to ruin it.

"Are you and Liam dating?" Vivi asked me out of the blue, pretending to be studying the photo.

I shuddered from her voice alone. It was so obvious she was scheming something. "It's not like that. He's Alex's friend," I whispered back.

"Well, he seems really into you. He hasn't stopped staring at you."

I casually looked around the art gallery for Liam, trying not to make it too obvious, but I couldn't spot him.

"So, there is nothing between the two of you. You're not dating him?" she questioned, leering at me.

I lightly shook my head. "No, there is nothing between us...we're just friends."

She gave me her best sinister smile and walked away.

I shook off the unpleasant interaction and straightened my spine, mustering up all my courage. I browsed through the art gallery, but I had lost all interest in photography. I was more intent on finding Liam. It had been two days since I'd last seen him. We went out to dinner together and Liam spent the entire night flirting with me. After I returned to New York, Liam had kept in touch. We texted almost every single day. Then —only a few weeks after my arrival– Liam showed up in the city, claiming he was opening a new location for his investment firm. So, for the past month, we'd been meeting each other for coffee or dinner dates a few times a week.

I was beginning to think Vivi was toying with me and Liam had never arrived when I saw him standing with Carlo, discussing a photo. I smiled and waved at him, but he only gave me a slight nod. He didn't smile. He didn't wave. And after waiting five minutes, he didn't approach me. I grabbed a flute of champagne from a server and walked away, deciding to let him come to me.

Half an hour later, Liam still hadn't approached me. My confidence had pretty much completely disappeared, and I just wanted to go home. I was making my way toward the doors when I noticed Liam leaving the gallery with Vivi. He guided her to his car, as his driver opened the back door for them. Before sliding into the backseat, Vivi looked back toward the gallery's windows and winked at me. I watched as they got into the car. I stood frozen as they drove away. Then, after wiping the single tear that slipped from my eye, I walked out.

I wouldn't let them break me any more than I already was.