Chapter 2: Room 237
I didn't wait for anyone to stop me.
Ignoring my mother's frantic voice and the whispers spreading through the ballroom, I gathered the skirt of my wedding dress and sprinted through the hotel lobby.
The concierge looked startled as I slammed my hands onto the marble counter.
"Room 237," I demanded. "Who checked into Room 237?"
His fingers froze above the keyboard.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I can't release guest information."
I pulled off my engagement ring and placed it on the counter.
"Then call security."
Something in my face convinced him not to argue.
Two security officers arrived within a minute.
One accompanied me to the elevator.
Neither of us spoke during the ride.
Every passing floor felt like another year disappearing from my life.
Second floor.
The doors opened.
The hallway stretched ahead in perfect silence.
Room 237 waited at the very end.
The door wasn't fully closed.
It stood slightly open.
My heart pounded so violently it hurt.
I pushed the door with trembling fingers.
Inside...
Champagne glasses.
Rose petals scattered across the carpet.
Two suitcases lay open beside the bed.
One belonged to Maverick.
The other...
Penelope's.
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
Then I noticed something else.
The bed hadn't been slept in.
Instead, an envelope rested neatly on the pillow.
Across the front, written in Maverick's unmistakable handwriting, were only two words.
For Amy.
My hands shook as I opened it.
Inside was a folded letter.
And a flash drive.
May you like
The first sentence stole every ounce of air from my lungs.
"If you're reading this, it means I failed to protect you."
