Chapter 1

The night breeze drifted through the bare living room.

My phone screen lit up, showing the viewer count hitting more than 100,000 on Tasha Green’s live stream.

“Hey fam, let’s see what time that loser crawls his way back to me.”

Snug in her jacket, Tasha giggled in Jesse Smith’s arms.

Jesse stuck close to her ear and spoke into the microphone.

“Tash, it gets very chilly on Mount Rainier at night. Soren doesn’t have any money on him. I hope he doesn’t freeze to death on his way up.”

Tasha let out a scoff.

“Well, it serves him right. It’s his fault for hanging up on me. He needs to be kept in line.”

The live chat spammed the screen with the same sentiment.

“The freeloading moocher knows better than to be upset. He’s probably weeping the whole way up.”

“You go, girl! It’s time to show him who’s boss!”

Cool as a cucumber, I swiped away the live stream and tucked the last paintbrush into my suitcase.

I never went to borrow a hiking stick, nor did I buy a windbreaker.

The home I spent five years filling piece by piece was now left with nothing but empty cupboards.

Every inch of this place was bought with money I earned painting late into the night.

Yet, Tasha’s name was the only one on the title deed.

My phone rang, and the caller was Sarah, Tasha’s closest friend.

Once the call connected, Sarah’s mocking laughter echoed from the other end of the line.

“Hey, Picasso! How far have you made it?

“If you can’t push further, give us a shout, and we might chip in to hire a porter for you.

“Don’t give out halfway. Tasha expects you home tomorrow to scrub the toilets.”

Without a word, I terminated the call and blocked her.

In my senior year of college, I received a job offer from a top international design firm.

On the day of my thesis defense, Tasha stood on the rooftop, dangling dangerously over the edge.

“Soren, I’ll jump if you accept that offer!

“Who’s going to stay with me if you go? What matters more to you? Me or your career?”

The college president and the student advisor scrambled, their faces slick with sweat.

To get her down safely, I shredded the offer letter to pieces in front of everyone.

I ended up as a joke, walking away without even picking up my degree.

Later, she munched on an apple, lying in the hospital bed.

She remarked, “I was just testing to see how much you cared about me. I can’t believe you took me seriously.”

Three months later, my father passed away from a heart attack.

I’d kept vigil at my father's funeral through the entire day and into the night. By the end of it, my phone was dead.

Tasha showed up in a bright red dress, her arm linked with Jesse’s as they marched straight through the memorial service.

“You didn’t answer my call, so apologize right now.”

She kicked over a stand of memorial candles in front of my entire family.

“I was only testing to see if you could handle your emotions. Why are you giving me an attitude?

“It’s not like I killed your father!”

I quietly cleaned up the mess.

From that day on, the Soren whose world revolved around Tasha was dead.

The zipper pulled shut with a harsh, zipping sound.

I set the keys and access fob on the coffee table.

Going through my contacts, I blocked Tasha and all her obnoxious friends.

I grabbed my luggage and opened the door, triggering the hallway light to flicker on.

As I reached the security gate, a guard stood in my way.

“Oh, Mr. Webb, where are you going at this hour?

“I have specific instructions from Ms. Green. You can leave empty-handed, but we need to inspect your bags if you’re carrying anything.”

The security guard rudely yanked open my suitcase and aggressively rummaged through my clothes.

“Alright, it’s all just junk anyway. Now beat it.”

Brushing off his mockery, I stuffed my clothes back into my luggage.

My phone buzzed.

A text from an unknown number popped up on the screen.

“Soren, look who suddenly grew a spine.

“If you’re not here by daybreak, you can forget ever getting my forgiveness.”