Chapter 4
Seeing the Northern Lights was a dream I had back in college.[]
But work got in the way, and I shelved it years ago.
Over the years, I’ve told him so many little wishes like that.
None of them ever happened.]]
We’d barely had time to reconnect before Jace had to leave again.]
Ten hours before his flight.
I watched him heading toward the door and suddenly called out,[]
“Jace.”
He paused, turned around. []
“Yeah?”
Llooked into those beautiful eyes of his, and asked for the last time,[]
“Do you still love me?“]
He laughed like I’d asked the most ridiculous thing in the world.[]
He walked over and gave my head a quick pat. [
“Of course I do.”
“Don’t overthink it.“]}
“Once I’m back tomorrow, we’ll celebrate our anniversary properly.“]]
“I already made a reservation.“]]
He sounded so sure of himself.
I nodded. [
“Okay. I’ll wait for you.“]
That was the first time in nine years I ever lied to him.[]
I turned around and headed upstairs.◊
Jace stood by the door like he sensed something wasn’t right.[]
He called after me, “Sloane….”
I stopped at the turn on the stairs.
“Go. She’s waiting.”
He kept staring for a beat, then finally walked out the door.
I stood at the top of the stairs, watching his silhouette disappear.]]
Nine years of the wrong love.
It was finally ending.
Nine hours till take off.
I didn’t sleep a minute that night.
Three hours left]
I printed out every screenshot Zoey sent me, all the proof I had-
photos of her and Jace being “close.”
Two hours left.
I took off the necklace I’d worn for nine years.
It was the first gift Jace ever gave me–he worked five jobs that year just to buy it for my 18th birthday.]
He said he’d turn it into a ring someday, and slip it on my finger.
One hour left.]]
I placed a blank sheet of paper on top of the evidence.]
It said:
Nine years wasted.
Don’t come find me. -Sloane Whittaker
By 6 AM, the car I booked was waiting at the door.[]
I took one last look at the house before walking away.[]
In the car, I logged out of every shared account linked to Jace.
Deleted, cleared, gone.
snapped the SIM card in half and tossed it out the window.[]
That was it. Jace Vanderhorn and I–done for good.[]
At the airport, I checked in and headed toward security.
Past that gate, my new life was waiting.]
I smiled and walked forward-
Until I heard a voice behind me.
“Sloane!”
