Chapter 1

1 "Honey, after all these years, your mom and I have finally found you!"

"If you want, you can come live with us here in the States. We want to make up for all the time we've missed with you."

The voice on the phone was so sincere, so full of hope, it made me stop and think. I finally managed a quiet, "Okay."

"That's the girl! We knew you'd come around, sweetie! Mom's gonna get that visa started right away. You've got maybe two weeks, so spend time with your foster parents and say goodbye to your friends, okay?"

...

Rain was coming down hard, and I wiped a hand across my face, disconnecting the call from across the ocean.

Thing is, I didn't really have anyone to say goodbye to. To most people, I was just…there. Invisible.

The front door of the mansion swung open, and Jake glared at me. He'd been watching me stand in the downpour for two hours now.

"Finally figured it out, huh?" He wasn't even trying to sound kind.

I croaked, "Jake, I'll do it. I'll give my spot in the accelerated program to Sarah."

Jake looked surprised for a split second, like he hadn't thought I'd cave so fast.

I expected tears, a screaming match, a battle of wills.

He relaxed, holding the umbrella and pulling me inside.

"That's the way, much easier when you cooperate." He nodded, some of the usual coldness draining from his eyes, replaced by a rare hint of approval.

He poured me a glass of hot water, acting like he cared. "Hey, you were always such a good kid. You got good grades, but I mean, the accelerated program isn't that important."

"Sarah, though, she got stuck in the boonies for years, she's behind, needs a boost. This is the best thing for her."

Jake's words were smooth but so final. It was like he knew I'd just give in.

I looked at the guy I'd been in love with for eleven years, the guy I was supposed to marry, and my whole body started to shake. I felt colder than I did out in the rain.

Only now did I understand that he wasn't cold by nature.

He just didn't love me.