Chapter 134 (1/2)

“That’s not true, and I happen to know that you’re exactly what she wants.”

The cup shakes in my hand and I nearly drop it. “I know you’re only trying to help, but, please . . . just stop, Mum.”

“So what, then? You’re just going to let her go and move on?”

I set the cup down on the side table before answering. I sigh. “No, I couldn’t move on if I wanted to, but she has to. I have to let her move on before I do any more damage.”

I have to let her end up like Natalie. Happy . . . happy after everything I did to her. Happy with someone like Elijah.

“Fine, Hardin. I don’t know what else to say to convince you to step up and apologize,” she snaps.

“Just go. Please,” I beg.

“I will. But only because I have faith in you that you’ll do the right thing and fight for her.”

The small cup and platter are thrown against the wall and shattered into small pieces as soon as she closes the door behind her.

Chapter eighty-three

TESSA

After we have lunch at a little nondescript strip mall, we head back toward Zed’s place. As we pass the campus, I finally have the courage to ask him the question I’ve always wanted to ask.

“Zed, what do you think would’ve happened if you had won?”

He’s clearly caught by surprise, but he recovers after looking at his hands for a minute. “I don’t know. I’ve thought about that a lot.”

“You have?” I look at him, and his caramel eyes meet mine.

“Of course I have.”

“What did you come up with?” I tuck my hair behind my ear, waiting for his answer.

“Well . . . I know I would’ve told you about it before I let it get that far. I always wanted to tell you. Every time I saw the two of you together, I wanted you to know.” He gulps. “You have to know that.”

“I do know it,” I barely whisper, and he continues.