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The air tastes sweet. I inhale deeply but begin to cough. And can’t stop coughing.

Jonathan runs with me in his arms—away from the house. The fire. His family.

Sirens screech in the distance.

He sets me down at the forest’s edge. I roll over and retch.

I can’t catch my breath.

My eyes are heavy.

“Sadie, look at me.” He gingerly cups my face. “Look at me.”

I focus on the depths of his beautiful dark eyes. Filled with fear and love. So much love.

I grab his hands. He flinches. They’re red and raw—bubbling with blisters.

“I had to get to you. I couldn’t lose you. I had to get to you.” He rocks me in his arms.

We stare at the house built on pain and torture. But also, laughter and love.

And now, it is all gone.

They are all gone.

The slam of the screen door steals our attention.

Evan stands in the foyer. When he sees me, surprise sweeps across his face but disappears just as quickly. “What’s going on?” Then he notices Emma’s tears. “What did you do to her?”

Emma tries to hide it, but she’s terrified of me. And I didn’t do anything wrong.

I’m not the bad guy.

I’m so sick of everyone assuming it’s me. The truth’s overshadowed by rumors and speculation. So quick to assume I’m the one to cause the pain. To start the fight. Who refuses to walk away.

It doesn’t matter anymore.

Maybe I should just live up to my reputation. Be the monster I’m expected to be.

Why fight it? I can’t escape it.

“This has nothing to do with you, Evan.” I’ve given up trying to explain myself. No one listens anyway. Or I say the wrong thing. Might as well say every wrong thing. “You’re not a part of every moment of her life.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Evan narrows his eyes. I watch his hands as they stretch and tense.

“Jonathan, don’t.”

I ignore Emma.

“Did something happen to Rachel?” Evan asks Emma but doesn’t take his eyes off me.

“No.” I scoff. “This is between me and Emma. You’re not the only one she confides in. You don’t need to know everything.”

Evan smirks. “And she confides in you?” His mocking tone makes me want to laugh in his face.

“She does.”

“Evan,” Emma’s pleads.