Let them talk.
Let her rise.
We need her protected.
We step out into the cold night.
The party noise fades behind us, replaced by ocean wind and the hum of distant traffic.
Tristan heads off.
X helps Mindy into his car.
They disappear.
I drive home alone.
Inside my room, I grab my phone with trembling hands.
Jade’s number.
The one I’ve memorized like it’s engraved on my bones.
I call.
Straight to voicemail.
My breath catches. “Baby… just call me.”
Silence.
“We can talk. We can fix this. I still love you. I miss us. I miss you so much it’s making me crazy.”
My voice cracks.
“Just… tell me where you are. Please. I’m losing my mind here.”
I hang up before I fall apart.
I walk outside, into the freezing New England night. The stars are sharp above me, scattered across the sky like shattered glass.
She’s out there.
Somewhere.
Hurting.
Alone.
Because of me.
And as I stand in that cold silence, breath fogging in the dark, one thing becomes clear:
I will find her.
No matter where she ran.
No matter who tries to hide her.
