Girlfriend? What on earth had that horrible woman said to Keeley to make her think she was his girlfriend? He was furious. She was already distant; the last thing he needed was further interference, especially from the woman who had ruined his first life: Lacy Knighton.

To everyone else, she appeared a perfect socialite, the epitome of grace. Only Aaron knew the demon she truly was. He needed to keep a closer eye on her this time. Lacy was so determined to become Mrs. Hale that she’d done everything in her power to sabotage Keeley.

In school, it had been small things: pushing her into the punch bowl at the Valentine's dance, starting rumors, tripping her near the stairs. Lacy was crafty and got away with it, but Aaron had his suspicions. Since she’d followed him to Harvard, he’d kept Keeley far away—it was better that Lacy didn't know she was in the same city.

What didn't make sense was Lacy's involvement based on so little. The first time around, she’d only started causing trouble after Keeley became a persistent presence at their lunch table. She had to have seen the kiss. He cursed himself for losing control; if he was going to kiss her, he should have done it without witnesses.

Hadn't he done everything to keep Keeley hidden during the first few years of their relationship to protect her? How could he be so reckless now? Desperation could make people do crazy things. Lacy, desperate for power, prestige, and the one man who'd ever rejected her, had become a murderer. Aaron had to be more vigilant.

He wanted to immediately clear the air and explain he had nothing to do with that crazy woman, but Keeley was gone. Getting rid of that bloodsucker had taken too long. He cursed under his breath. Everything had to be difficult.

With the poetry assignment complete, Aaron had no excuse to talk to the taciturn girl beside him. She skillfully avoided him on campus. His only captive audience was during class, and she ignored or dismissed him, regardless of what he said.

"What did you do over the weekend?" "Nothing." "Can I borrow an eraser?" "I don't have one." "Do you have an extra piece of paper?" "No." "What did you think about the reading?" "It was fine."

No matter what he asked, she answered in fewer than five words and returned to ignoring him. Aaron was at his wit's end. This role reversal was getting to him. If he'd been this difficult to reach then, how had Keeley managed not to give up? She hadn't abandoned him then, so he wouldn't give up easily.

After another fruitless attempt at conversation, he lost his temper, forcibly dragging her from the classroom into an empty janitor's closet.

"What are you doing?" she demanded. Unwilling to cause a scene in the hallway earlier, she had no qualms about smacking his hands away now.

Aaron leaned over her menacingly, banging his fist on the wall. "Why? Why won't you talk to me?"

"I have zero desire to talk to a scumbag like you," Keeley said scathingly. "Let me out of here, or I'll scream."

"What did I do to make you treat me like this? This isn't like you!"

She laughed, a small, unhinged sound. "Isn't like me? You have no idea what I'm like!"

"I know you better than anyone, Keeley Hall," he said through gritted teeth, too incensed to remember that in this life they barely knew each other. "You aren't supposed to be like this. Why are you like this?!"

Fear shone in her eyes. "You have no idea what you're talking about. I'll let this go if you leave me alone, but if you don't, I'll—"

"What? Report me? You've threatened that before. It won't work. So tell me the truth. What did Lacy say to you? Is that why you're avoiding me?"

She shut her eyes, pushing him away, but he was too heavy. "I would have avoided you anyway. You're a jerk and a liar, and I want nothing to do with you!"

"Shut up!" Aaron roared.

This was wrong. How had this happened? She loved him. She was supposed to love him. Without her love, he'd have nothing to live for.

All the fight drained from him. He shouldn't be angry; she was already afraid, shaking. He slumped onto her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm sorry. Don't be scared."

Keeley sniffled, making him feel worse. He was so scary she was crying. His hold tightened. There had to be a better way. She wouldn't tell him what was going on; she didn't even like him.

If only he could explain himself. Rebirth was too fantastical. She wouldn't believe they'd been married before, that he loved her. He'd lose all credibility, and she might become even more afraid. He needed something non-threatening to convince her of his sincerity.

"Aaron, can you let me go now?" she asked softly.

He sighed. He hadn't held her long enough. After a gentle kiss on her forehead, he released her.

Keeley didn't look back as she hurried out. He followed a minute later, unaware of the young man with a cellphone watching the janitor's closet door before sending a text.