I forced down the rage roaring inside me and bowed my head to him for the first time.
"Please. Just let me go."
Aiden's eyes were bloodshot, his jaw clenched.
"That man crooks a finger and you go crawling back like a dog to lick his boots. Are you really that worthless?"
"Fine. Eat one mango, and I'll let you leave."
He knew exactly how severe my allergy was. One bite could send me into shock.
But I didn't hesitate. I grabbed the mango and tore into it, devouring it whole, no time even to peel the skin.
"Enough!"
Aiden ripped the mango from my hands, his eyes shot through with red.
I could feel the hives rising on my face, my skin swelling red before anyone's eyes.
Aiden sagged against the railing, defeated, and unlocked the door.
Ignoring the burning under my skin, I rushed to the door, desperate to leave.
Then his voice came from behind me, low and venomous.
"If you walk out that door today, we're done. Nothing left between us. Ever."
I didn't pause for even a heartbeat. I lifted my foot and stepped through.
The moment I reached the street below the hospital, I saw a gurney being wheeled out across the way, a white sheet draped over it.
In the corner of my eye, I caught the gold bracelet on the body's wrist.
It was the gift I'd given Grandma for her eightieth birthday.
"Wait!"
I threw myself at the gurney and seized that wrist, refusing to let go.
The medical worker walking beside it recognized me and patted my shoulder. "My condolences."
In an instant, I felt like I'd been dropped into ice.
But I couldn't fall apart yet.
I held myself together long enough to finish the paperwork and have her cremated.
Only after every last arrangement for Grandma was done did I let myself sit on a park bench and cry the whole night through.
When the first faint light of dawn came.
I pulled out my SIM card.
And vanished from this city completely.
At that very moment, Aiden was struck by a sudden, lurching dread.
As if he'd just lost the one thing most precious to him.
Then came the message from his assistant. The truth, laid bare.
Aiden's hands trembled as he opened it.
When he saw the seventeen times I had tried to die for him.
His eyes nearly tore open.
At last, Aiden panicked.
He called my number again and again.
But all that answered him was a busy tone...
