Chapter 5
I froze and turned around,
But the crowd was thick–I couldn’t tell where the voice came from.]
My heart pounded.
I grabbed my suitcase and started running.
- ne.
A hand grabbed my arm from behind, stopping me.
–“0
“Who the hell-‘
I shouted and tried to pull free.[]
Then I saw his face.
“Let me go!”
I snapped.
Jace held my necklace in one hand, my letter in the other.
“Sloane, what is this?”
He looked confused, like he didn’t get it.
I almost laughed.]
“Jace Vanderhorn, we’re done.”
I said it slowly, clearly.
He didn’t accept it–he pulled me aside.]]
“What do you mean?“]]
“We said we’d make up for our anniversary.“]
“You’re overreacting.”
He was dodging it, like always.
He saw the letter, which meant he saw the rest.
“You and Zoey… you think I don’t know?”
I laid it all out.
He went silent.
“Zoey Calloway’s baby…”
He started to explain, but I was already done listening.
I gave him chances–so many, too many.
Even a few hours before I left, I gave him one last out.]
If he had just said he didn’t love me anymore,
We wouldn’t be standing here making a scene.
Why did it have to come to this?
“Jace, this is a public place.”
I warned him, my voice sharp.
Panic spread across his face.
“Sloane, please. Nothing happened with Zoey!“]
“She came on to me, okay?”
“I admit it, I slipped–once or twice–but…”
“Enough!”
I slapped him across the face, hard.
He shut up.[]
And then he did the most pathetic thing I’d ever seen-[]
He laughed, slapped himself a few times.]
Then looked up at me, eyes pleading.
“You’re right. Sloane.“]
“I deserve that. I’m a piece of crap.
Hit me again. Yell at me. Just… don’t go.“[]
For the first time in years, he looked desperate.[]
Since making it big, he never let himself look weak.[]
But here he was, on his knees,
In front of a crowd,
Begging me to stay.]
I didn’t feel sorry.
I didn’t feel touched.
I just felt… sad.[]
“Jace, you’ve always known the truth.]]
You just didn’t want to face it.”
I sighed. [
“It’s over. Let’s not drag this out.”
“No! I won’t accept that!”
He dropped to his knees, loud and sudden.
“Zoey got pregnant, but I told her to get rid of it! I swear-
r–l
Sloane. I only love you!”
He was a sobbing mess.
And all I could think was-
What kind of man had I wasted nine years loving?]
I stared down at him, unmoved.
The boarding call echoed over the loudspeakers.]
I turned toward security.
Jace jumped to his feet.
“Where are you going?“]]
As if if he asked quick enough, I’d
But he was years too late.
stay.
He looked terrified–just like I used to look every time he left me hanging.
I smiled.
And told him the truth:[]
“I’m going home.
To get married.”
