Margot POV
I had watched my mother destroy herself chasing love.
She had been beautiful, educated, well-connected, and accomplished.
She had everything she needed to build a solid life.
Instead, she had built her entire identity around being wanted: one relationship after another, one man after another, every time calling it love, every time losing something.
Eventually all she had left was me, the child she had once regretted having.
I would never become her.
I could love Rhett. I could want him. But I would never hand him my entire life.
Melanie gave a small hum: I asked Rhett to come with you. He said no. Then I invited you myself, and you still won’t come. Do you hate me?
“No. We don’t know each other. I’m sure you don’t need another friend.”
“But we’re not friends. We’re
