Chapter 1

When the mudslide hit, Cora Miller and I both went over the edge.

My boyfriend didn't even hesitate. He hoisted Cora onto his back and hiked away right in front of my eyes.

He left me there, buried in the debris.

Everyone was in such a rush to get Cora to the ER that nobody even noticed I was missing.

By the time someone finally hauled me to the hospital, my boyfriend hadn't checked on me once.

But now that I've finally stopped loving him, he's standing here with bloodshot eyes, begging me to believe he still loves me.

1

The mudslide came out of nowhere. I was standing perfectly fine until Cora Miller grabbed my arm, dragging me down into the ravine with her.

Everett Thorne didn't even glance my way. His face was a mask of pure agony as he scooped Cora up and took off.

He didn't realize that I was actually the one who took the brunt of the fall.

A fallen pine tree had caught us both, but I was the human shield. I hit the trunk first.

A jagged branch had pierced straight through my foot.

Because I had cushioned her fall, Cora walked away with nothing but a few superficial scratches.

The moment Everett reached us, my eyes blurred with tears. I tried to call his name, but he was already gone with Cora in his arms.

He never looked back. Not even once.

I held on until Lila Brooks and the park rangers found me. The moment they lifted me up, the world went black.

I spent a full month in the hospital. Every time Lila came to visit, she would end up in tears.

"I'm so sorry, Aria. It's all my fault. I just assumed Everett was going to save you, so I followed them like an idiot."

"By the time I found help, I only saw Everett putting a girl into the ambulance. I thought it was you. I didn't think twice."

"I'm so sorry. I should have paid more attention."

I patted Lila's head to comfort her. Honestly, I couldn't blame her.

I was the one who assumed Everett would save me. Even after he walked away with Cora, I still held onto the stupid hope that he'd sent someone back for me.

The branch had gone deep, but luckily, it missed the bone. With enough physical therapy, I'd eventually walk again.

On the day I was discharged, Everett showed up to pick me up. He looked like hell―exhausted and gaunt.

He was incredibly careful when he lifted me into the car, treating me like I was made of fragile glass.

But the second we walked into his place and I saw Cora Miller sitting there, my heart hit the floor.

I used to be obsessed with being near Everett. Even when I moved out of my parents' place, I bought the apartment right across from his just to be neighbors.

Everett's living room was packed with his friends.

"Aria, everyone's here to celebrate you coming home," he said softly.

Before he could finish, a high-pitched, sweet voice cut him off.

"Everett, where do you keep the spices? I can't find them anywhere!"

"I'll get them. You'll never find them on your own."

Everett immediately stood up and headed for the kitchen.

"Hey! Why do you assume I'm that helpless?"

Cora's voice sounded playful and annoyed. Everett's tone was sharp, yet it carried an intimacy that felt like a private world I wasn't invited to.

"Go ahead and try then. I bet you five bucks you can't find the paprika."

"You're on! Just watch me!"

"Gosh, you two are like an old married couple. Do you need any help in there?"

Another friend laughed and headed into the kitchen. The sound of their collective joy echoed through the house.

I looked at the few people left in the living room playing video games.

Even though the house was full, I felt completely alone. I didn't have a single person to talk to.

Something warm brushed against my leg. A beautiful white Ragdoll cat was purring and rubbing against my ankles.

Lila had given me this cat, but Everett had been the one raising it.

"A little princess who can barely take care of herself wants a cat?"

Everett had laughed and ruffled my hair when I first said I wanted to keep it.

"Well, I have you, Everett. If I don't know what to do, you'll take care of us both."

"You're impossible," he had whispered.