Chapter 1

The moment Mom found out, she called me. She was crying on the other end of the line, saying she was relieved—finally, I'd come to my senses.After a few small talks with her and Dad, I told them I'd be leaving Sanderville in three days to join them abroad. I turned off my phone and looked up as Quinn walked into the hospital room.She froze when she saw that I was awake, and surprise flickered across her face. Then, she composed herself and opened the lunchbox in her hands."Chad made you some chicken soup," she said, setting it down on the table. "Drink it while it's hot."I didn't move. She frowned slightly, and her tone softened as she coaxed, "I know you're not a fan of chicken soup, but it's good for your recovery. Just a few sips, okay?" I looked at her. There was concern in her eyes—real, maybe—but this was the same woman who'd been cuddling with Chad in this room not long ago.I couldn't tell who she was anymore. Just then, footsteps echoed in the hallway.Chad walke

Chapter 2

We were just about to leave when Chad suddenly swung the door open and appeared in front of Quinn.The moment he found out she and I were having dinner at Cloudscape, he kicked up a fuss, insisting that she took him along.He didn't mention anything else. He just said that he liked me and wanted to "get closer."Quinn gave me an awkward look, clearly caught in the middle. Chad, meanwhile, was practically plastered to her side as if he couldn't get close enough. He was staking his claim right in front of me."Come along, then," I said, keeping my voice even.Quinn's eyes lit up. It was as if she was afraid I'd be jealous, she hurriedly added, "Mateo, Chad's really sweet. He told me he admires you a lot." How quick of her to defend him. I almost laughed as I thought to myself, "Admire me? Please. He was not here for me—he was here for her. She needn't make up some weak excuse just to ease her own guilt."Not wanting to get dragged into whatever this was, I got changed, grabbed my

Chapter 3

After I left, Quinn rushed Chad to the hospital. It wasn't until his condition finally stabilized that the weight of her words to me came crashing down.She pulled out her phone and tried to call me. The call didn't go through. I had her blocked.Her heart dropped. A sudden, bone-deep panic gripped her like something terrible was waiting for her just beyond the horizon.She fumbled to message me on Instagram, too. But it showed that she was blocked there, too. Her gut twisted, and her instincts told her that something was wrong. Chad begged her not to go, but she couldn't stay. She tore out of the hospital and sped all the way home. When she finally burst through the front door, she discovered that I wasn't around. The house was exactly as we had left it before dinner.The table was spotless and untouched—except for the small velvet box on the table. Inside it was the custom diamond ring she had designed for me.Her phone buzzed with a scheduled email from me. I asked for a br

Chapter 4

I pulled away from Quinn's arms without a second thought and shut the door behind me with a firm click. The last thing I wanted was for Mom and Dad to see and start worrying."I thought we broke up. Why are you here?" My voice came out cold, and my brows were tight with irritation. I didn't bother hiding how annoyed I was to see her.She flinched at my tone, and pain flickered across her face. She stepped forward to reach for my hand.I took a step back.She gave a broken, bitter smile. "There was a news report about a plane crash. I thought you might've been on that flight… I just—I'm glad you're okay."She looked at me carefully, hopefully."So what, Quinn? You found out I don't love you anymore and decided to come running back? You realized that you can't live without me now? "Wake up, Quinn. Life isn't some romantic drama. Get a grip."She still tried to reach for my hand, but I raised my hand to stop her. "I really don't get you. You're with Chad now, right? Isn't that

Chapter 5

I didn't answer Layla's question the entire way home. Because the truth was—I wasn't sure.After what I'd been through in my last relationship, love had become something I feared. Even if a part of me liked Layla, I wasn't sure I could take that leap again.People changed, and hearts changed. I was afraid that no matter how good things seemed now, we'd eventually fall apart, too. However, Layla told me not to rush. She said she'd wait for me for as long as it took.When we got back to the apartment, Quinn was waiting for me on the stairs.The moment she saw Layla with me, something shifted in her expression. The confidence she once carried was gone, replaced with a kind of desperate sorrow."Mateo, come back with me… Please. I was wrong. I know I messed up. I swear I won't do it again." She looked at me like I was her last chance and pleaded.Beside me, Layla abruptly took my hand. Her fingers tightened around mine instinctively.She was getting nervous. She was afraid that I mi

Chapter 6

Quinn's POVThe day I found out Mateo had woken up, I was overwhelmed with relief, so much so that I could hardly breathe. But after the joy faded, fear crept in.I was terrified he'd find out about Chad and me, and that once he knew, he'd break up with me. But I tested the waters cautiously, watching his reactions—nothing. He didn't know.I let out a sigh of relief. The day Mateo was discharged from the hospital, Chad happened to be at my place, cooking.I was nervous as I thought Mateo would sense something, but he didn't. He was surprisingly calm. Relief washed over me… and then a strange emptiness followed. It almost felt like he didn't care about me anymore.I shook the thought away. Nonsense. Mateo loved me so much. If he didn't, wouldn't he have ended things by now?I kept telling myself not to spiral. However, I'd forgotten the doctor's instructions about avoiding spicy food. I was too caught up in my habit and made all of Chad's favorite spicy dishes.Mateo didn't com