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."

bitterly, reaching to hold her

was enough to

out

room and entered. On taking in her look, I realized her injuries were mostly minor but her face

presence, her eyes

over me,' she

into my pockets,

"Sofia, I" I began.

me off,

You've suddenly forgotten everything I

hung in the air, but I felt nothing but a strange calm. I stepped forward,

listen," she snapped, turning away from me. "Leave me

low. "I've made mistakes for years. Choosing the wrong people, letting old memories cloud my

shoulders stiffened, but she

as that girl from our past-the one who laughed with me, stood by me, competed with me,

of those carefree days flooded my mind, but I refused to revel in

I was." I paused, "Clinging to a shadow

closer, dropping my voice. "There was never a child,

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