idn't want to break again. So

red through the front door like a ghost I could

ion. No gl

oft for a world like mine.

ted

I'd buried so deep, I thought were dead. Thin

me with his usual cryptic tone-too smooth, too

trap. It

walls, sterile decor, everything too clean. Th

I saw

and visibly shaken. Her eyes found mine, a

across her fac

omethin

edge of saying something but never did. Like

swore she fe

imagining it. That I wanted it too

stupid on

rs

sufferable friends. I escaped-needed air, ne

behind a hedge. She looked like

om a crushed daisy, hold

e smile

t s

only pure thin

r. I slipped away before I could ruin

elf it mea

il

nd wondered if she ever

tly, dragging myself

t my teeth on edge. His handshake was firm

unced."Lily, meet your fiancé. You

le

mach d

ke at the same

he'd just pulled off

proposal. It w

her face. I needed to know w

out from beneath her. Her hands shook just

hat awful to be

scared

d so. It'd be easi

ed at me like she didn't kn

omething in her

r feel the

e chest that ma

me hoped

rt prayed

lt anything, it would only hu

muttered, but befo

behind her. Her brother, Chase. Smug. Slim

ed. Barely-

hing in m

ike he owned the room, and I

amazing offer." he added, sneer

tef

ld?, Being thrown to a

lood on my hands. He didn't flinch. Cowa

he w

from

bruise she hid. Every time she staye

open inch by inch. Letting him scream into a mouth full of bloo

ther said with a proud expression like we'd just

father. Like she was already signed a

d. And my father knew exact

this w

it wasn

t

d in my chest like

ll is this?"

walking. "Wat

rangement without

e said coldly. "And don't for

ything I am, I had to claw for. You

, faking concern. "A clean slate.

o

he memory slammed int

beneath my knees. Blood in my mouth

ove. And love g

n he made me watch what happene

think to feel anything, not eve

ss in this world, Alexander

hose words like a k

believ

didn't, I'd r

ched, I woul

she l

elp u

clenched. Thoughts tearin

still wanting her

. And I knew, if she ever looked at me like I was good, like I wa

wasn't

see that s

h her away. I'd wea

er for her to hate

ved me... she wou

ther wo