Chapter 12

After Derek left, Chase found himself alone on the chilly, deserted riverbank, his eyes glued to his phone. Messages flooded in, but none were from me. He likely revisited the times I’d noticed his changing behavior toward Nicole, which had often bothered me.

But after my anger subsided, I'd feel foolish for overreacting. Nicole was his stepsister; there was nothing wrong with him being kind to her. I fell into the habit of rationalizing, constantly questioning my own feelings. I told myself not to let something so small disrupt the peace between our families. Once I processed it, I'd let it go. It had been a full day since I last texted him. And today, I’d effectively disappeared.

He tossed a pebble into the water, muttering with irritation, "Go ahead. Let's see how long you can keep this up."

I stood beside him, a wry smile playing on my lips. Even during our worst fights, I never stayed away more than three days. He assumed he had me figured out, believing I wouldn't cause any real trouble.

I quietly observed his handsome face, now clouded with anger. I remembered that summer camp when I was twelve, stranded on a mountain during a torrential storm. He risked landslides to climb back up and find me. Tears streamed down my face as I ran into his arms, questioning his recklessness. What if something had happened to him?

Covered in mud, he still managed a bright smile. He said the mere thought of me alone, scared and upset, made him wish he could fly to me. Back then, I was too young to understand love. I only knew his embrace was warm and wished he could protect me forever.

Now, despite his being at fault, he showed no remorse and thought I was being dramatic. Once someone's feelings change, even breathing near them feels wrong.

On the fourth day of my absence, Chase finally panicked. He opened our chat, still on his last voice message. My phone remained off.

"Mr. Reyes, here's your coffee," his assistant said, offering him a cup. Chase realized he'd been staring at his phone for half an hour. Even my tantrums would have subsided by now.

He got up, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door.

"Mr. Reyes, you have an important meeting."

"Postpone it," he said, driving into the city to find me.

"Ms. Kimberly, someone's here to see you," the receptionist announced as I rushed out. Kimberly, my high school friend, had been forced into teaching middle school.

Knowing my situation, she wasn't happy to see Chase. "What are you doing here?"

"Amanda's with you, right? Tell her if she keeps this up, it'll look bad for everyone…"

Kimberly interrupted sharply, "Are you serious, Chase? You're the one who left her stranded at the wedding. What's she supposed to be upset about? All those guests were mocking her, and she apologized to each of them. Who's embarrassing everyone here?"

Her words struck Chase, his face paling slightly. "I don't owe you an explanation. Just call her and tell her to come home!"

That's when Kimberly realized I hadn't been home for days. "Amanda isn't home?"

Indeed, Kimberly was my confidante. Chase hadn't looked for me, assuming I was with her.

Kimberly's expression changed. "Get lost. My grandmother was critically ill, and I went home right after the wedding. I just returned to work today. What happened to Amanda? Did you upset her again?"