I pictured her walking through it while my dress hung unguarded in the closet.

I pulled my debit card from my purse and handed it across the wood counter.

“Take the four thousand dollars,” I said.

Thomas processed the card in complete silence.

He printed a receipt on thick cream paper and folded it into a small white envelope.

“Rooms seven ten and seven twelve are now secured for Miss Davis,” Thomas said.

Chloe took the envelope and slid it into her bag.

We walked away from the front desk toward the glass exit doors.