LOGINHe thought for a moment before he said, “I appreciate how smart you are. You’re studying to be a healer, and you’re good at it. I’ve seen the way you talk about your classes, the way you light up when you’re learning something new. It’s one of the things I’ve always admired about you.”I blinked. I
Ellie’s POVDinner was almost painfully quiet. We ate the roasted chicken and vegetables that the cooks had prepared, and Dominic made a few attempts at small talk, but mostly, it was only the sound of scraping cutlery and chewing and Vivian’s distant sobs that filled the air.After we finished eati
I passed my hand over my face and leaned back against the cushions as Amy went on to talk about each exercise. It all felt silly and useless, although I wouldn’t say that out loud. Not to her face, at least.But the truth was, I didn’t think any of this would work. Not when there was still a looming
Ellie’s POVI turned slowly to look at Dominic.“You hired a couples therapist?” I blurted out. “Since when?”“Since this morning, when it had been all night and you didn’t come home,” Dominic replied easily. “I figured it might be beneficial for us to talk to someone. A person who’s unbiased and tr
“You mentioned trauma before,” he said once they were gone. “And I’ve been thinking about that, too. I think whatever happened to you, whatever it is you won’t talk about, it’s affecting the way you see me. The way you see everything.”He wasn’t wrong. But he also wasn’t right, either. It was more c
Ellie’s POVI took the coffee from him, wrapping both hands around the warm cup, and followed him out of the library. The campus was already bustling as students went to their morning classes, many of them holding cups just like these ones.We walked in silence for a while, sipping our coffee. Domin
This time, I’m not soaked.And no one was hurt.My hand presses to my temple. Thank gods.The applause hasn’t even finished fading when Vivian’s voice cuts through it.“She rigged it!” She points innocently. “I’m sorry! But! She did!”The room stills.I turn just in time to see her step forward, loo
Dominic POV The moment her voice cuts through the ballroom, my body goes still.I whip around.There’s no way she—She’s…on the damn stage.“Shit,” I mutter under my breath. “You little—”“I reject the bond,” Ellie says, and it hits like a blade sliding straight between my ribs. “I always have.”My
I stop walking and check it.My parents.Right….It was coming up.I stare at the screen for a long moment before answering.Sure, why not. Perfect timing for another train wreck.—Ellie POVA few days have passed and my ankle has strong strong enough to walk on, mostly without a limp.But that did
Apparently, my future had just been sealed. Again.But I don’t want him. I’ve never wanted this.But when Dominic opens his mouth, he faces his parents. “With respect, you’re wrong. Ellie wasn’t the prime choice of the night. And my opinion should carry some weight here too. I’m the one who has to l







