n called Ava, his voic

and she... she fell. She hit her head

even jump. It was a

asked, her tone profes

s her vision is blurry. I n

va said.

ther way to reel her in, to m

n't wo

nsisted she meet him there, "for support

e pack on her forehead, looking pale and fra

d loudly to a nurse, making sure Ava could hear. "Suc

expecting her to react. To b

ood there,

e. A mild concussion, the

how of relief, hug

-up with you today, Ethan," Ava reminded h

ously, this is more important. Chloe needs me.

nodded.

bled. He was prioritizing his fake girlfrie

ight, Ava's

age. From an u

g. A selfie, clearly taken by

"He's feeling

t without a s

than's shirt, sprawled o

le

-up of their han

le

coming, a barrage

rough Chloe, was t

y broken, and rebuilding herself i

r, the one box of their sha

flu. He'd stayed with her for three days straight,

care. Re

an act too? Par

made her sto

s, who flaunted his fake amnesia

me. Not for the Ethan she was losing, but fo

fool she

y opening. "You need to get out. See peopl

Ethan and Chl

up, Chloe practically draped over Etha

ed beside Av

hment settling over her. They looked l

n leaned down and kissed Chloe, a lon

way, heading

ass of wine, a hand sho

ha

ow, almost a growl. "You're a

fr

yes were clear. The old E

he fog returned. Or he p

something wrong?" He stepped back, turning toward

" Chloe asked, sliding

king his head as if to clear

him away, not lo

take. Or another

And she was sta