The next morning, before I left for the office, Charlie stopped by the apartment.

“Just go with the flow, Addison,” he spoke.

“Rick will be outside your office the whole time,” Andrew said. “But I want you both to know that I hate all of this!”

“We know you do.” I walked over to him and kissed his lips. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about a thing.”

“I love you, Angel,” he spoke.

“I love you too.”

“Bye, Dad. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye, Rosebud. Remember, just go with the flow.”

I hailed a cab to the office and the whole ride there, my stomach was in knots. As I walked down the hallway, people stared at me and I could hear the whispers about Andrew from behind. Once I reached my office, Lucas came running in and gave me a hug.

“Oh my God, Addy. I’m so happy to see you. I can’t believe this is happening. Have you talked to Andrew? What’s going to happen to the company now? I heard he put Veronica in charge while he’s taking some time off.”

“I really don’t know, Lucas. I broke up with him. In fact, I’m moving back to my old apartment after work.”

“Aw, sweetheart.” He hugged me. “Everyone here is in shock. We never thought Andrew to be a murderer.”

A sickness came over me hearing him say those words. I needed to get Cody to confess fast because not only was Andrew’s reputation on the line, but so was his company, and I wasn’t about to let the business that his father built from the ground up be compromised by a pathetic psychopathic love-obsessed moron.

“I didn’t either. I wanted to believe he didn’t do it, but the evidence is all there.”

“Have you told Jasper and Emma?”

“I called them last night and told them.”

“Okay. I need to get to work.” He kissed my forehead. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

I took a seat at my desk and let out a deep breath.

“Good morning, Addison,” Cody spoke as he lightly tapped on my office door.

My heart started racing with fear at the sight of him. But I was strong, and I could do this.

“Hey, Cody.” I gave him a small smile.

“How are you?” He stepped inside with one hand behind his back.

“Not good.”

“Here.” He smiled as he handed me a bouquet of white and red roses. “Hopefully, these will brighten your day.”

“Aw, Cody. They’re beautiful. You shouldn’t have.”

“I wanted to. I know how hard this must be for you.”

I got up from my desk, walked over to him, and gave him a light hug. It took everything I had not to throw up all over him.

“Thank you. That was really sweet.”

“You’re a good friend to me, Addison. I’m just returning the favor.” He lightly smiled and tightened his arms around me. “You did the right thing breaking up with Andrew.”

I broke our embrace and swallowed hard.

“I know I did. It hurts. You know? I thought I knew him.”

“Does anybody ever really know a person?” he asked. “I mean, everyone has skeletons in their closet.”

“I suppose so.”

“Let me take you out to dinner tonight,” he spoke.

“I don’t know, Cody. I’m not really in the mood for going out.”

“Come on, Addison. We’ll have a few drinks, a nice dinner, and we’ll talk. It’ll take your mind off him.”

“Maybe you’re right.” I smiled. “Dinner sounds nice.”

“Excellent!” he spoke with excitement. “I’ll pick you up around seven o’clock.”

“I can just meet you at the restaurant.”

“No.” The tone of his voice became stern. “I would like to pick you up.”

“Fine. I’ll text you my address.”

The corners of his mouth curved up into a smile.

“Good. I’ll talk to you later.”

I left work early to go home and spend some time with Andrew before I packed my bag and headed back to my old apartment.

“Do you have any idea how much I hate this?” he spoke as I put my suitcase on the bed.

“Yes, Andrew. I do. Because I hate it too. But we have no choice. It’ll all be over with very soon.”

“I talked to Luca and Ariana today. I told them that an acquaintance of mine did some digging around on Cody and I gave them the information Charlie gave us.”

“What did they say?”

“Ariana was going to look at it and do some more digging around. She said she’d call me later. Charlie is on his way over now to give you something.”

“What’s he giving me?”

“I don’t know. He said he’d talk to us about it when he got here.”

Andrew received a text message from Charlie stating that he was on his way up. As soon as the doors opened, Charlie stepped out and sighed.

“Hey, Rosebud.” He kissed my cheek.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black device and handed it to me.

“What’s this?” I asked as I studied it.

“It’s a recording and tracking device. Andrew and I will be able to hear everything you and Cody say, plus we’ll be able to track your whereabouts.”

“Where do I put it? My purse?”

“It’s best if you wear it. So find a hidden spot you can keep it. Maybe wear a pair of pants with pockets.”

“How about if I tuck into my bra?”

“Or that. Just make sure you turn it on by lightly tapping this button.”

“I will.” I kissed his cheek. “I need to get to my old apartment and get ready before he picks me up.”

I looked over at Andrew, who had a burning anger in his eyes.

“Don’t.” I held up my finger. “This is your life we’re talking about.”

“It doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck.

“I love you and I’ll always love you. Don’t worry. I can take care of myself.” I kissed his lips. “I have something for you.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a seashell that I collected when we were in the Hamptons. I had been saving it for the right moment, and I felt this was it.

A smile crossed his lips.

“Friends do anything for each other,” I spoke. “You’re not only my lover and my fiancée, you’re my best friend.” I smiled.

He cupped my face in his hands, softly kissed my lips, and then pulled me into a tight embrace.

“You’re my best friend and everything to me. You’re the air I breathe every second of every day. Please be careful, Angel. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, and I will be careful. This will all be over soon.”

I gave him one last kiss, grabbed my bag, and stepped into the elevator.