When the party was winding down, my best friend complained, "I seriously thought you'd ditched us for some dude. Don't you ever do that again. Sisters before misters, always."

I nodded in complete agreement. "From now on, I'm there for anything you guys plan, as long as I'm free. I promise."

After I got together with Julian, he became the center of my universe.

My career, my life, everything revolved around him. I lost my own friends and my own life in the process.

Thinking back on it now, it was a terrible choice.

I glanced at my phone. Julian had declined the $200 I sent him.

It was three in the morning by the time I got home.

I flicked on the lights and saw Julian sitting on the living room sofa.

For a second, I felt a wave of dizziness and thought I was seeing things.

When he saw how drunk I was, he didn't get up to help me. He just glared, his face a mask of disappointment.

"Elara, can't you have some self-respect?" he spat. "If you're jealous, just say it. What kind of woman with a man gets this wasted in the middle of the night?"

My head was spinning. I stumbled to the sofa, holding onto the wall for support.

Julian wrinkled his nose at the smell of alcohol on me. "Didn't I tell you I don't like those friends of yours? You went out messing around with them again?"

"My relationship with Sophia isn't what you think it is. We're just family allies right now. You don't have to debase yourself like this because of her."

"You're overthinking it," I shot back, my head throbbing. "I was just happy to see my friends, so I had a few drinks."

His voice rose with frustration. "Enough! I'm already giving you an out here, what more do you want? Don't push me. My patience has limits. I'm not a fucking saint, and I won't cater to your every whim."

My head was pounding, and his voice was making it worse.

I rubbed my temples. "Are you done? If you're done, I'm going to bed."

He saw my exhaustion, took a deep breath, and reined in his temper. He stood up to help me.

But with my last ounce of clarity, I dodged his hand.

I staggered into the guest room and locked the door, completely ignoring the sound of Julian's suppressed knocking from the other side.

That night, I slept like a rock. It was the most peaceful I'd felt in ages.

When I woke up the next morning, Julian was sitting silently on the living room sofa.

His face was terrifyingly dark. I knew he was furious.

But I didn't try to appease him. I just got ready and walked out the door.