Chapter 2

2 I didn't remember much about my childhood, just that I grew up in a group home until I was adopted by the Smiths at ten.

They were still wrecked from losing their real daughter back then, and even though they took me in, it was like I'd walked into a funeral home.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith were strict. It was always me versus their lost Sarah, and they wanted to mold me into their ideal daughter.

Those were tough times, with non-stop classes, trying to master all those skills, and getting yelled at if I was off by a fraction.

Jake, though, was a light, a beacon.

He was a total catch: cool, quiet, just good at everything.

He was like a prince, way out of my league, and I couldn't help but be drawn to him.

Our families were tight, and there had always been talk of pairing us up one day.

Since the real Sarah was gone, that engagement fell on me, the adopted kid.

From ten to twenty-one, Jake had always been my future.

I did all kinds of stupid things, like swoon over him, make sure he was happy.

Jake had never actually responded, but he never said "no" either.

He played the part of a perfect fiancé, we hung out, went to parties together.

I figured, he'd seen me watching him, and he was touched, he was willing to accept me.

I really thought things were getting better, and then, Sarah showed up.

Everything changed after that.

The heat of the water stung, bringing me back. I went to the bathroom to shower off.

Jake was still in the same spot, staring at the door. "We should go to the Maldives for a bit. We can go scuba diving."

I stopped in my tracks. That was typical. Right when I was ready to throw in the towel, he'd dangle something sweet, something I couldn't easily walk away from.

But this time, I didn't feel happy at all.

I turned back to him, ice in my voice. "Jake, I can't swim, let alone dive."

The old Sarah had been a swimming champ, a natural in the water, obsessed with surfing and diving.

It was obvious who Jake really wanted to go to the Maldives with.

Jake didn't flinch. He just asked, like it was normal. "So where do you wanna go for break? I'll set it up."

It was rare for Jake to ask my opinion like that, so I didn't bother fighting him.

I just went to shower, not answering.

When I came out of the bathroom, Jake looked up from his phone, "Are you running a fever?"

I gave a bitter laugh. It was the middle of winter, he'd let me stand in the rain for two hours, it'd be a miracle if I wasn't sick.

Jake picked me up, putting me on the bed. "Stay put. I'll go get you something."

He barely turned before his phone rang.

I heard Sarah's whiny voice from the speaker.

"Jake, I'm dying here! My cramps are killing me!"

"I'm on my way!"

Hearing her, Jake's face twisted with concern.

He didn't hesitate for a second, heading out the door, leaving me behind, with a fever.