I looked over at Genesis and Cleo wrapped up in helping Queen, and I shook my head. I was the true victim tonight, yet she was getting all the aftercare. How did that happen? I didn't want news of Felix and me being together to get out, but I did expect more attention to come from it. Instead, everyone was focused on Queen...nothing new.

"Are you going to help me up?" Felix asked from the table as he tried to pull himself up amidst the broken wood.

"Why should I?" I crossed my arms. "You embarrassed me tonight."

"You think I anticipated almost dying?" He hissed.

"No, but I did anticipate that you'd win a fight that you started, at the very fucking least," I scoffed at him, crossing my arms and kicking aside the small bit of wood beside his foot. "There's your help. Do the rest yourself." I tossed my long ponytail over my shoulder and walked over his leg.

I shoot a disgusted look at Jess who was cleaning Nate as fast as she could and I rolled my eyes. I didn't care what anyone said, she was fucking pathetic. As much as I loved Felix, there were too many men in the world to be groveling over one. If he didn't perform to the capacity I wished him to, there was someone else who would. Simple as that.

I didn't need love. I needed to be worshipped as I deserved.

The way he was going with the continuous embarrassment and disappointment, I'd be in the market for a new man any time soon. I swear if he wasn't good in bed, I'd be gone. But sex with him was always my weakness...he knew that. I'd been with men all over the world, but I always came back to him.

Maybe I can't move on.

I almost let myself give in to that bullshit until I remembered who I was- a damn Queen. And I damn sure wasn't going to dim my shine for anyone, either he'd brighten the hell up or burn to ashes. His choice- not my problem.

I'd cut out my own heart before I let it control my every being like some people.

Genesis caught my eye as I walked past her and she gave me a disappointed look. Did she really expect me to check on Queen after hearing she tried to take Felix? She was insane. Like I said to my father, it was a relief to not have to deal with Queen any longer. I didn't care if our relationship was forever ruptured- she did that, not me. Her problems were no longer mine to fix.

I walked out of the restaurant, ignoring everyone's eyes and stepping out into the cold night. My heels clicked against the pavement as I looked around at the empty streets and sighed. Felix and I came together and I expected him to run after me like he always did, but it had been five seconds and the man was still nowhere to be seen.

"He just doesn't care," I told myself, shaking my head and walking down the street. Here I was, on my own again. These days...more and more frequently, I was becoming my biggest advocate. Things were the best that way, but some support wouldn't be bad.

I headed down the street, clutching my purse as I walked and ignoring the uncomfortable stares of the hobos I passed. Gross. My skin crawled as I began noticing the decreasing amount of cars passing by and I furrowed my brows. If I looked behind me, I could still see the restaurant so I wasn't too far away...maybe I should go back.

I turned around, contemplating both directions and rolling my eyes. This was all Felix's fault, right? Why should I have to suffer because he messed up? If anything, he needed to be the one walking while I drove myself home. "As he should." I huffed, heading back towards the restaurant.

In the corner of my eye, I saw a movement in the alley beside me and I turned towards it. "Hello?" I called out. "Who's there?" Squinting my eyes, I could make out a dark figure lurking in the shadows and I raised my brows in annoyance. "Okay pussy, are you coming out or what?!"

"Xyla, don't speak to me that way," a small voice whined, stepping towards me. My eyes took in a filthy Mia scantily clad in a tight dress and I scoffed.

"Mia, what the hell are you doing here?!" I whispered, pulling her deeper into the alley.

"I wanted to come to the party," she said sadly, fiddling her fingers together. "I felt bad about what I did and Syn was really mad so I thought that...maybe I-...I want to come home."

"Mia," I said slowly, dropping her arm and laughing softly, "don't tell me you came all this way to apologize..."

"I should. I don't know why I did-"

"Listen to me right now because I'm not sure if I can ever stomach another conversation with you again." I took a deep breath. "They don't want your damn apology. I know my sister, Mia. She will never forgive you. She'll just turn you into our parents- who by the way, want you dead. I'm the only one keeping you safe and alive right now, can't you see that? You're so lucky to have me..."

"What do I do, Xyla?" She cried softly. "I miss you and I-"

"Get it together," I snapped. "That's what the hell you do. While you're out here crying, do you have any idea what happened tonight?"

"No...what happened?"

"Syn and Queen are together," I said to her. "You should've seen how touchy they were. They're were all over one another and-"

"They're together?" She asked, the emotion draining from her face until she was looking at me blankly.

"He called her his girlfriend."

"H-he doesn't date."

"He doesn't date you." I winced.

Her hands flew to her hair in a tight grip as she lowered her head. A low scream escaped her lip as she stomped her foot on the floor and I held back a laugh. "How dare he?! I gave my life to that man and he just-"

"It's not his fault," I said. "It's hers. She stole him like she does with everything she wants. Before she came along, Syn was yours. She ruined that."

"She ruined-...she..."

"Yes, Mia. She did. It's all her fault."

"It's all her fault," Mia said slowly, her crazed eyes returning to mine. "If it wasn't for her, Syn would still be with me."

"Exactly."

"I hate her," she whispered.

"Are you angry?" I asked her.

"Yes." She balled her fists at her sides.

"Good." I nodded. "Use that. Take it from me, it'll keep you going." She nodded quickly and I tucked her red hair behind her ear, setting aside my disgust. "Take care of yourself, Mia. I hope when we see each other again, we're both with our men."

"We will be," she promised me. "I swear."

"Hmm, handle that then."

"I will."

I gave her a nod and turned around, walking away from the alley. A tiny ache in my chest made me wince as I walked away from her, but I couldn't let it control me. This was possibly the last time I'd ever see Mia- she was too far gone to be helped and I had better things to do. All I'd have now was the memories of us, and that was good enough for me.

Memories couldn't disappoint us.

At least I left her with hope. Whether it was hope for revenge or hope that she'd get to come back to her normal life, it didn't matter. I gave her a fleeting drive that would make her want to survive. If along that path of hers, she committed sins that would irrevocably damage her soul...that was between her and God.

"Bless her soul," I whispered. My kind act of the day was complete.

I continued walking towards the restaurant and proceeded to cross the parking lot, but I was cut off by a luxury car with tinted windows almost running me over. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" I snapped.

The driver's window rolled down and my heart dropped as Julius and I made eye contact. Oh no. I guess this was what happened when you tried to run away from your demons for too long- they catch you.

I swallowed a lump in my throat and plastered a smile onto my face. "King SinClaire," I greeted him with a bow.

"I think you and I know each other too well to be that formal, Xyla," he said.

"What are you doing here?"

"I heard the news about you and Felix..." he rubbed his sharp jawline. "You didn't think that was something I should know before-"

"Stop...please," I whispered.

"How long have the two of you been together?"

"Does it matter?"

"Does it matter..." he mocked with a small scoff. "It does matter quite a bit, Xyla. Get in the car."

"I-"

"Xyla!" Felix called from the entrance of the restaurant.

My head shot up at him and my eyes widened. This could not be happening. I listed my options in my head and decided that the best thing to do was to get Julius out of here as soon as possible. He looked pissed and I didn't know just how much he'd reveal to Felix if he was given the opportunity.

With that, I pulled open the backseat door and climbed in, ignoring Felix's calls. As soon as I shut the door, Julius sped off into the road and I closed my eyes.

We all make mistakes.

He just happened to be my biggest one.

The engine roared as he drove at an unnecessarily fast speed, and I felt for the seatbelt beside me to put it on. When it clicked, I held onto the handle above my head and held back a scream. I was shocked that he hadn't driven into another realm with how fast we were going.

"Where are we going?"

"Where do you think?" I peeked my eye open to meet his eye in the rearview mirror and he winked at me, making my heart race yet goosebumps crawl over me. This was so wrong- God did I fucking know it was wrong... "Julius, we said we wouldn't do this again. Felix..."

"We're not doing anything. We're just going to talk."

"It's never just talking. You and I both know that."

"Well, you have my word, Xyla," he said. "If anything were to happen tonight, it would be because you initiated it. I won't touch you."

Lord forgive me.