y

ton still stood there, a statue of disbelief, clutching those pathetic plastic lili

their faded petals a sad splash of color against the damp earth.

ere like nothing happened? Five years, Ivy! Five years we thought you were de

I almost laughed. "Guilty?" I echoed, a cold am

gone! We had a funeral, a grave for you!" He gestured wildly towards the

hrob in my chest. I remembered the last time I saw him, really saw him. It w

hisper, yet it cut through the air between us. "My leg was sha

ck. "I... I know. It wa

old me you couldn't come. You said you had 'other obligati

out, each one a sh

shb

hospital room smelled of antiseptic and despair.

y am. But Ainsley... she's having such a hard time with all this. She needs me t

ing my eyes. "Clayton, our wedding is still we

ragile. This whole accident just sent her over the edge. She needs me to be there to

and you're choosing her over me! You're choosing Ainsley, the woman who stole my e

hat, Ivy? Maybe it's better if you just... disappear. Ainsley deserves happiness. Rea

Flas

. "Those were your exact words, weren't they,

Always making everything about you." He ran a hand through his hair, looking me up and down. "But look at you. You... you look good. Actually, you

gestured vaguely towards the tombstone. "If this is your big comeback, trying to make me regret it, you're too late. Look, Ivy, if you want back in, mayb

athetic," I said, my voice dripping with disdain. "I didn't come back for you, Clayton. I did

vor, Clayton," I called over my shoulder, not bothering to look back. "Pick

king. I wasn't going to let him pull me