I drove six hours to check into my new luxury resort, only for the front desk clerk to toss a keycard at my feet.

to leave,” Justin said. His voice was lower now, a harsh, grating whisper meant only for me, stripped of the theatrical projection from a moment ago. The smugness on his face was beginning to curdle into genuine agitation. My refusal to shrink was deeply offensive to him.

“You did,” I replied. My voice was a flat, unreadable calm.

“Then why are you still continue reading …