Chapter 52.

STACY.

“Such a lying bastard!” I murmur while I glance at the crumpled note Jason passed under the door on the floor where I tossed it, mocking me with its presence. I refuse to read it again. I’ve already given Jason too much of my time, thoughts, and life by coming back to his damn pack to plan his father's birthday.

A note isn’t going to fix years of heartache he has caused me. Not this time.

Just as the knot in my stomach tightens, my phone vibrates on the coffee table I placed it earlier, dragging me out of my thoughts. I glance at the screen and see Mom flashing across it. A sigh escapes me, and I swipe to answer.

“Hey, Mom. Miss me already?”

“Every single minute I miss you sweetheart,” she says, her voice soft and worried, “how are you holding up?”

I close my eyes, pressing my fingertips to my forehead. How do I even begin to answer that? “I’m managing,” I reply, though my tone betrays me.

“Stacy…” Her voice is gentle, and probing. She knows me too well. “You don’t soun