Page 87 of Wreckage

A grin flashed across my face, but there was something serious in my eyes when I nodded back at him. “Good. Take care of her in every way if that’s what she wants.”

He said nothing, simply watching me leave. I wanted them to make this work. I wanted it for all of us. Being more than willing to be cool about it afforded me something glorious, at least I hoped it did.

I turned toward the endless white, stepping out into the cold world.

Determined. Focused. And unwilling to let this be the end.

Chapter 30

Adrian

Ihad never thought much about happiness.

Sure, I had moments of satisfaction—getting high marks in my classes, winning a game of chess, and the occasional rush of victory in a competition.

But happiness? Real, soul-deep happiness?

I didn’t think I had ever truly felt it until her.

Elena.

She had become the center of everything.

Before the crash, I had spent years ignoring her, pushing her aside like she was nothing but a shadow in my life. A disease I couldn’t fucking shake. I told myself she didn’t matter. That she was just another reminder of the changes I never asked for.

But I had been wrong because now, as I sat beside her while she slept, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest and the gentle flutter of her eyelashes, I realized something that shook me to my core.

She was it for me.

The only thing that mattered anymore.

I didn’t just want her.

I wanted a future with her. I wanted to get out of these godforsakenmountains, take her home, and give her everything I had denied her for so long.

I wanted to make up for every cruel word, every cold glance, every moment I wasted pretending she didn’t matter and didn’t exist to me.

She deserved the world, and I wanted to be the one to give it to her.

But first, we had to survive this.

I glanced toward the door, my stomach twisting as I thought about Troy.

He’d been gone for a few hours already, and even though he swore he wouldn’t be as long as last time, I couldn’t shake the unease that settled in my gut.

I hated letting him go alone, but I had to stay. I had to be here for her.

Elena stirred beside me,letting out a soft, sleepy sigh, her body shifting beneath the blankets.

I immediately set the food beside me, reaching out to brush her hair from her face.

“Good morning, butterfly,” I murmured.

She blinked up at me, groggy but beautiful, her lips parting in a gentle smile that did something to my insides.

I picked up the plate, showing her the crackers and apple slices I had set aside.

“Breakfast,” I said.

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