That's How it Happens

37. The Art of Walking Away

Two days, Peter had been calling. Texting. Even emailing. She ignored every single one. She didn't have the energy to deal with him, not when her life already felt like it was collapsing in on itself.

April had taken over the last‑minute details of the wedding, thank God. She knew something was off with Ainsley — April always knew — but she hadn't pressed. For that, Ainsley was grateful. She couldn't handle another interrogation.

And Liv... well, Liv had kept her mouth shut. Which was the least she could do. Why wouldn't she? She was the one who started this. She was a thief — of boyfriends, of relationships, of friends, of every single thing Ainsley had ever cared about.

She didn't want to think about her. She didn't want to think about any of it.

Work was supposed to be her escape, but even that betrayed her. The campaign with Frank was about love, and she wanted nothing to do with love. Not anymore. She'd pulled out of the contract, left it to rot. Chris had called her a mess, and he'd been right. She was a mess. Not even Leo wanted to be around her anymore. Their friendship — the one thing she thought was unshakable — was gone.

The guest house reflected her perfectly: a wreck. She'd locked the cleaning lady out, barricaded herself in, not wanting to see anyone. Not her family. Not her friends. No one. She'd leave if she could — but where would she go? Back to the building Leo's family owned? Back to the office they owned? She wasn't welcome in either.

The only reason she hadn't given up on Kasey was the contract. If she let it go, Elum Insights would be finished. She wasn't doing it for herself anymore. She was doing it for... Leo.

The thought made her slam a drawer harder than necessary. She shoved boxes onto shelves with too much force, scrubbed counters until her knuckles ached, punched pillows just to feel the release.

She was mid‑swing when the door creaked open.

"Ainsley?"

Her spine stiffened. She didn't turn.

"Annie," Liv's voice wavered. "I just... I wanted to say I'm sorry."

Ainsley shoved another pillow into place, harder than she needed to. Silence was safer than words. If she ignored her, maybe Liv would go away.

"Annie, please," Liv's voice cracked. "Say something."

Ainsley spun, eyes sharp. "You want me to say something? Fine. I'm exhausted, Liv. Exhausted from watching you stomp through life like a spoiled princess, breaking things and then acting shocked when people bleed. You're not misunderstood – you're selfish. And I'm done pretending otherwise."

Liv's gaze dropped to the floor. "I know I deserve that."

Ainsley scoffed. Unbelievable. She's trying to drag me down guilt-trip lane.

"You can run along. Or is Victoria waiting outside to tell me I'm ruining your wedding – your life?"

Liv's face crumpled. "You don't understand, Ann–Ainsley. My whole life, I just wanted to be like you. To not be the one everyone looked at as Miss perfect or the beautiful one." Ainsley rolled her eyes. "God, I can't even make a mistake without you telling me I'm worthless."

Ainsley's laugh was sharp, bitter. "Do you hear yourself right now? That can't be further from the truth. I've lived our entire lives in your shadow – even before you were born. Do not go down this road, Liv. You won't win this one."

"I just wanted to be like you!" Liv shouted through tears. "Everyone looks at me like I'm stupid, like I'm just another rich girl who can't do anything at all, so she just uses her looks to get what she wants."