Chapter 7

Then he walked out.

Three days. He didn’t come back.

I didn’t bother checking the campus.

Mia and I were packed-we could bounce anytime.

Philip cruised me around Pineville in his old Santana.

Everything felt unreal, like I was stuck in someone else’s dream.

He even helped me score a cheap rental.

At first, Aunt Freya begged me to move in, but we hadn’t seen each other in twenty years—I wasn’t about to crash her place.

After a little back-and-forth, I rented a tiny house near hers.

Philip took me out a few times-some legit spots.

First time trying fondue. First bite of real steak.

I didn’t know what was next, but something about Pineville’s energy made it feel like maybe, just maybe, things would be okay.

That night, bringing Mia back to Joshua’s apartment, I saw Linda standing at our door.

“Mrs. Ziegler, I’ve been waiting. Can I come in?”

Stone-faced, I said, “Mr. Ziegler’s not here. Try again when he is.”

Tears filled her eyes. She looked wrecked. “It’s freezing. Please, just for a minute?”

A neighbor walking by chimed in, “It’s cold tonight. Let her in before she catches something and misses school.”

I didn’t want a scene outside, so I let her in.

Soon as the door shut, her whole vibe flipped.

She smirked, flopped on the bed. “Carmen, guess where Joshua’s been these past few days?”

Not shocked. Not even a little.

This girl once faked her own death to screw with me in another life.

“Don’t care.”

“Too bad. I’m telling you anyway. He’s been holed up at the guesthouse-with me. Three full days. You wouldn’t believe his stamina. Had me in bed nonstop. I could barely walk.”

“Leave.”

“Nope. Not done. Wanna know when it started? Right after you two got hitched. My dad thought he was such a nice guy, kept inviting him over. I was eighteen when he kissed me like he meant it, told me he was in love.”

“Enough. Don’t say another word. Get out.”

She just laughed, louder.

“He said you were old, washed-up. Some no-name small-town girl who made him sick. Touching you was disgusting.

“But me? I’m young. Pretty. What was it he called me? Oh yeah-‘tender and juicy.’

“Your amazing husband. Real catch, huh?”

“Shut up! Just shut up!” I screamed, losing it, and went to shove her out.

Right then, Joshua walked in.

No questions. Just rage.

He kicked me-hard.

I crashed into the table, head slamming the corner.

Almost blacked out.