Shattered

Sammi’s POV

The hours stretch painfully long before we finally arrive at the hotel. Everything’s already arranged, thanks to Zade. I barely register anything—just the dull motions of getting inside, walking to my room, and collapsing onto the bed. My body feels heavy, drained. It’s not the traveling that’s exhausted me. It’s everything else. The last five days, spending every waking moment with Grayson, working, talking, being consumed by each other. Every night, he’d hold me, make love to me until I passed out, and now, in this lonely, sterile hotel room, it all feels so far away. So distant.

Juliet knocks on the door, her voice soft and gentle. “Goodnight, Sammi. I’ll wake you in the morning.”

I barely manage a reply, just a tired mumble as I sink into the bed, my body craving sleep, real sleep. The kind I haven’t had in days. My body gives in quickly, but it doesn’t last.

The ringing of my phone drags me from sleep, and I groan, fumbling for it in my bag. My fingers are clumsy, bar