He had broken free.

(JARED'S POV)

"Why

did you save me first this time?"

Her question hit me like a jolt, slicing through the silence. She asked it so directly, as if it were a simple thing to answer. But I had no words for her.

Not for this.

What could I even say? Should I confess how my heart nearly stopped when Rebecca's voice trembled over the phone, telling me Sofia was at the restaurant? How my mind had been a storm of dread as I drove, running red lights, my only thought was to get to her? Should I admit that I'd spent years wrapped in regret, haunted by the choices that led us here?

When I saw Sofia holding her, willing to drag them both into death, I didn't think. There was only one truth pulsing through me: I can't lose you, Arielle. I couldn't live with myself if I did.

But now? Now I had no right to say any of that. My words felt hollow-especially when I thought of everything I'd done three years ago, all the ways I'd chosen wrong. And then there was Sofia, spinning tales about her pregnancy, leaving me in knots of guilt and doubt. What had she told Arielle? What did Arielle say to provoke Sofia's madness? I didn't know. I couldn't even begin to fathom it.

When I didn't answer, Arielle finally looked away, her voice soft. "Forget it. I'm going to rest."

nodded, bitterly, reaching to hold

was enough to hold me

quietly out

found Sofia's room and entered. On taking in her look, I realized her injuries were

eyes snapped towards me,

You chose her over me,' she spat, her

my ground, hands tucked into my pockets, bracing

"Sofia, I" I began.

me off, her voice

lie. You've suddenly forgotten everything I did for you, everything we shared. And

air, but I felt nothing

listen," she snapped, turning away

tell you something," I said, voice low. "I've made mistakes

stiffened, but she

clinging to the idea of you as that girl from our past-the one who laughed with me, stood by me, competed with me, even tried to

memories of those carefree days flooded my

blind I was." I paused,

dropping my voice. "There was never a child, was there? You were never

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