Jessica's POV
When sensation finally returned to my trembling legs, I pushed myself away from Paisley and stumbled toward the door like a woman drowning in her own despair. My head spun with the weight of everything crashing down around me.
My entire world was collapsing, and I could barely stand upright.
Just as my fingers touched the door handle, strong hands caught my shoulders and pulled me back.
"Breathe, Jessica," Paisley's voice cut through my panic, her arms wrapping around me like a lifeline. "Take deep breaths. You cannot walk out there looking like this. Every eye in that building will be watching you. Every tongue will be wagging with gossip as you pass by. They have always been waiting for you to fall, and now they think they have their chance to destroy you. So breathe."
I forced air into my lungs, holding it until my chest burned before letting it out slowly.
"That's it. Keep going. You will hold your head high, Jessica. Do you understand me?"
