Here's chapter 3! I hope you like it :)

Important : there's a short mention of physical abuse in this one.

Feyre didn't like to admit it, but she was nervous. She had been thinking about that event for most of the week, trying to prepare herself for this moment, but she was still unable to calm herself as she walked through the doors of the hall.

She wasn't even the star tonight, she was just the illustrator, part of the team, not the author of the book that was introduced, but it was still her drawings, her representation of the characters and their story, that appeared on the huge banners hanging from the windows.

Stronger than the nervousness though, was the excitement. It wasn't the first book cover she'd designed, but this one was special. She had found the manuscript on her desk a few months back, and had been so absorbed by the story, she had not only designed several propositions for the cover, she'd also brought to life more than a dozen of her favorite scenes from the book, never planning on doing anything with them. But Diana, the author, had caught a glimpse of them on Feyre's desk during a meeting, and had insisted to see them in details, and for Feyre to finish them. And now, more than four months later, there was the book's special illustrated edition seating on every table. It was the first time her work was actually looked at closely during an event of the publishing company, and if she was lucky, she might meet some people interested in giving her more jobs. Gods knew she needed them, with her newfound financial independence relying exclusively on her work as an illustrator.

So she was there tonight, trying not to look too nervous and out of place in the dress she'd chosen to wear, knee-cut, dark blue with long sleeves and an open back. She didn't usually dress up that fancy, even during other opening nights she'd been to. But then again, this could turn out to be an important night for her career, and she'd wanted to look her best, so she'd gone out with Alis last weekend and had brought this very impressive, very out-of-her-budget dress, and was now feeling so nervous that she was wishing for a comfortable pair of leggings instead of it. She was imagining herself wearing any other kind of shoes than the heels she was in, when she heard someone call her name :

"Feyre, there you are, I've been looking for you for twenty minutes !" said Diana, grabbing her arm and pulling her into a quick embrace.

"Hi Diana, how are you ? How is your big night coming along so far ?"

"Oh it's great ! The introduction speech Harry gave was amazing, and I'm glad you're here, because I want you to meet someone", Diana answered, tugging her through the crowd to the far end of the hall.

"Oh?"

"Yes ! He's a friend of mine I met during a writer's convention in New York last year, and he absolutely adored your illustrations in the special edition, so he'd like to talk to you."

Feyre felt her heart skip a beat and smiled widely at Diana and the man she was now introducing her to. This was going to be a good night.

Feyre went to the buffet in the hope of finding something to eat, after having spent a good half hour talking with Diana's friend about his project. Grabbing a mini quiche, she got her phone out of her purse and checked her messages. As it usually did since two nights ago, when she'd slipped her number into the pocket of the stranger from the pub, her phone indicated she had a new message from Rhys.

Rhysand, 19:43 - Hey, I hope I'm not bothering you, I just wanted to tell you that I finished the audiobook you told me about yesterday, and you were right, it's really good ! I couldn't believe the way it ended ! Do you know if there'll be a second one ?

She smiled at his text. She knew he was going to love it.

20:25 - Well as a matter of fact, I read the manuscript for the sequel three weeks ago, I'm designing the cover, so I can assure you there'll be a book two !

Rhysand, 20:27 - You read it already ?! Oh now, you MUST tell me what happens to the security guard !

20:29 - I'm afraid I can't do that, Rhys, it's kind of in the job description to NOT reveal plot line to outsiders.

Rhysand, 20:32 - Oh come on, you can't let me wait for like six more months to know ! That'll be torture…

20:33 - You're insufferable.

Rhysand, 20:35 - I know, that's what makes me so irresistible ! Maybe knowing a bit of the plot can be my reward for good behavior on our date tomorrow ?

20:38 - Oh, you would have to do much more than take me to a restaurant to make me reveal something like that…

She was smiling at the text she'd just sent, actually amazed by her own audacity, when a sweet voice came from behind her.

"Feyre, honey ?"

She stiffened immediately. This could not be happening, not here, not tonight, not when for the first time in a long time, she was actually enjoying herself without as much as a dark thought about her ex. She turned around slowly, her phone still in her hand.

"Ianthe," one of Tamlin's very close friends, who Feyre knew always wished to be something more to him, and had always been sickeningly sweet with Feyre. Ianthe pulled her into her arms and squeezed her very tightly.

"Oh I am so glad to see you honey ! And it's so unexpected !"

It was, thought Feyre, gently but firmly pushing out of her embrace, mainly because Ianthe worked as a personal shopper for Bloomingdales and had no ties whatsoever with the publishing industry.

"Errr - Hello Ianthe, what are you doing here ?" She tried to smile politely at her but she felt like she might vomit if she opened her mouth too much. Seeing her brought back so many memories of the past year, that she might actually get sick if she stayed talking to her for too long.

"Oh this new client of mine is the owner of this building so he gets invited to all the big events, and he nicely offered to bring me along with him tonight. Isn't he just a delight ?"

Oh Feyre was sure that's what Ianthe thought. A party with some of the most important persons of the publishing industry presented interesting opportunities for someone like her, and not careerwise. No, Ianthe was most likely interested in the young men she might be able to bring home and maybe someday convince to marry her. It was her attraction to power and wealth that had brought her close to Tamlin's family.

Not caring about the fact that Feyre was obviously uncomfortable, and actively trying to stir away from her, Ianthe strengthened her grip on her arm and kept talking :

"How are you doing these days ? I heard you moved into a… studio ?" She cringed at the last word, as if not leaving in a giant house close to the financial district was something to be frowned upon and not mentioned at fancy parties.

"I did. Actually Ianthe, I need to go, if you'll excuse me", Feyre needed to get away from her, get some fresh air, go home, and try not to cry before reaching said home. But Ianthe gripped her arm more firmly and looked at her with what could only be pity and concern.

"Feyre, honey, I'm glad we ran into each other, I've been meaning to talk to you. I know everything didn't go as planned between you and Tamlin." An understatement. "I know the way he proposed to you was… a bit clumsy. Yes, I know he proposed the night you broke it off with him, Feyre. Actually, I'm the one who helped him pick out the ring", she added with a smug smile. Well, at least that explained the 12 carat monstrosity that had been the engagement ring. As for the proposal, Feyre felt dizzy just thinking about how bad that night had gone. But Ianthe kept talking :

"I just want you to know that I'm here for you, if you need to talk about all of it with someone, and whenever you're ready to come home, you can certainly count with me as your friend", Ianthe was smiling softly, as if she was trying to reassure a crying child. Feyre finally looked directly at her, trying to process what she'd just heard.

"Come home ? Ianthe, what are you talking about ? I broke up with Tamlin, I'm not coming "home" any time soon," and while she said this, she finally pulled herself together and shook off Ianthe's hand from her arm.

"Oh but honey, this situation can't possibly be what you want ? I mean, I know what you said to Tamlin when you… left, but you can't seriously think he wouldn't want you back, do you ?"

"Oh I know he'd want me back Ianthe, but that's not the point. I am not going to get back together with him. And besides, I thought me being out the picture would finally give you the opportunity to jump in and get him into your claws ?"

And with that, she left Ianthe on the spot and stormed out of the hall.

It was freezing outside. In her hurry, she'd forgotten to grab her jacket out of the cloakroom. But she was not going back. Not tonight anyway, not after seeing Ianthe, hearing her talk about Tamlin, and his proposal, and everything that had gone wrong that night. Not when she could still feel the glass of the cabinet he'd pushed her into shatter against her back. Not when she could still see the way his hands had clenched her wrists, so strongly it had left her with bruises for more than two weeks.

No, as cold as the night air was, she wouldn't go back into the building to get her jacket. She pressed on her phone to see what time it was, and was surprised when she found a text waiting for her :

Rhysand, 20:41 - Oh darling, if you think that, you obviously have not idea how good our date is going to be… ;)

She stared blankly at his text. His flirty tone felt so out of place with the way she was feeling, she let out a quick nervous laugh. She'd felt so happy just fifteen minutes ago, with a new project in mind, feeling beautiful and powerful in her dark blue dress, flirting easily with a guy she was going on a date with… And now she just felt like going home, turning off her lights and crying for the rest of the night. But she needed to answer to him, it would seem rude if she just stopped texting all of a sudden.

20:57 - Sorry Rhys, not in the mood. Good night.

She walked to the subway, got into the train and sat quietly for the next fifteen minutes before getting out at her station. When she got to the surface again, her phone immediately lit up.

Rhysand, 21:01 - Are you okay ? Sorry if I said something wrong.

21:15 - It's not you, I just ran into someone I really didn't want to see.

Rhysand, 21:17 - Oh, okay. Do you need to talk about it ? I'm in The Rainbow right now but I could come closer to where you are if you want.

Feyre looked at his text. This guy she'd met two days ago and had mainly talked about movies and books with, was so concerned about her well-being that he was apparently willing to let go of whatever he was doing to come join her in another part of town if she needed it. She took her time before answering.

21:25 - I need to talk about anything but that. That's really nice of you, but I don't want to bother you. Though just fyi, I live in The Rainbow and I'm heading home so you wouldn't have to go too far.

Rhysand, 21:27 - You're in The Rainbow ? I could go for a coffee if you want, it wouldn't bother me, I was heading home too.

She thought about the perspective of home. Curling up on her bed with her hot water bottle at her feet, a bag of chips and nothing to think about but her ex-boyfriend and her earlier encounter with his friend. Without thinking too much about it, she answered :

21:30 - Alright. Meet me at the King's Head ?

Rhysand, 21:31 - I'll be right there !