Chapter 2

2

I stood outside the door, but I couldn't bring myself to push it open and confront them.

I ran. I don't even know where I went, just until I couldn't run anymore.

My nose started to burn, and tears welled up in my eyes.

I knew that if he cheated, if he broke his vows, I was supposed to just walk away. But my heart was twisting itself into knots.

He'd chased after me, pursued me relentlessly. When we finally got together, he held me tight and swore,

"Allie, you're the only one for me, ever. Don't ever leave me. And I'll never betray you."

"If you ever break that promise, I'll disappear from your life forever..."

"I won't. I'd never let that happen."

Now, remembering those promises, it all felt so pathetic, so sadly ironic.

I didn't go home that night. I ended up at a bar, drinking myself into oblivion.

By afternoon the next day, I had a hundred missed calls on my phone.

Chad, what's the point of calling? You've got another woman to keep you company. No need to put on an act.

For the first time, I ignored his calls and turned off my phone.

As I stepped out of the hotel, a cop car pulled up in front of me.

A couple of officers got out. They visibly relaxed when they saw me.

"Call him back, tell Mr. Thompson we found Ms. Walker," one of them said.

I found out that Chad had reported me missing, scared out of his mind because I hadn't come home and wasn't answering my phone. He was afraid something had happened to me.

When Chad finally found me, he looked a mess. He grabbed me in a hug, his eyes filled with fear.

"Allie, where have you been? I was so worried."

He was trembling. Like I was some precious treasure he couldn't afford to lose.

But I couldn't forget what happened last night. I could never forget how he was with Brittany.

I pushed him away. Chad looked stunned, his voice full of panic.

"Allie, what's wrong?

"Is something bothering you? You smell like alcohol."

I made up a story about going to a friend's birthday party and drinking too much.

Chad pulled me back into a hug. He took me home.

He even made me some hangover soup.

"Allie, I've been working too much lately, ignoring you," he said, cupping my face, his eyes full of guilt.

"The beach house should be finished in three days. What do you say we have the engagement party there?"

I didn't say yes, just nodded numbly.