night wasn't cold. He draped his jacket over my shoulders without a

led them after you didn't answer my texts. They sai

It was a stark contrast to Liam's calculated performance of care, and it made the betrayal feel

er. "Liam and Chloe. At the hospital. For her cat. A nurse tho

n he spoke, his voice was tight w

nt. I thought about just letting go. Slipping into that dark water and letting it wash every

anger. Why should I be the one to disappear? He was the monster. He was the one who should be erased.

n my tongue. I turned to look at Mark, whose face was illumin

arching mine. "Good," he said

to stand on in this world that had been turned upside down. "Mark," I started, my

then met my gaze again. His expression was open

for me... I need to know. Have yo

r between us. It was bold,

ain. "I have for a long time. I watched how he treated you, and it was... wrong. I saw you, Ava.

something I thought I had with Liam, but it had all been an illusion. Mark's admis

ing, born from the wreckage of my heart. Liam was obsessed with Chloe. He had used me to

meone else. Someone from his own ci

his kind, honest face

strength I hadn't felt in years. "I have an

. I was going to my lawyer's office to sign the papers that would officially begin the end

ey wer

y car in t

ce. And beside him, holding a brightly wrapped gi