Page 183 of Ignite

Conan’s wrecked. Declan tries to reason with him, but it’s like he can’t even hear.

My heart splits down the center. But I do what I have to.

I turn.

Finn leads me away.

“Hallie! Hallie! Please!”

I stop. My eyes close, a sob dragging through me.

“Enough, Conan. Let her go,” Declan orders.

I don’t want to look. I can’t. I’m not strong enough to watch him fall apart.

It doesn’t matter how much pain he’s caused me, I can’t watch the man I once loved break in front of my eyes.

“Don’t leave me. I’m begging you. Hallie!!”

His screams echo through the trees like a dying animal.

I glance up at Finn. His jaw tightens, pain flickering in his usually calm expression.

“Finn, please don’t let him near me,” I whisper.

He nods once.

He gets it.

“Just keep walking. Reggie and Rowan are on their way. They’ll drag him back and sort him out.”

I nod, but my body is giving out. My heart’s in pieces.

When we reach the mansion, Finn unlocks his Mercedes.

“I’ll drive you home.”

Images of my dad’s death flood me. Again, Finn is there to hold me together.

I'm broken again, and Finn, he's calm.

I climb in, and he hands me a blanket. I rest my head against the cold glass, trembling.

“You okay, Hallie? Like, seriously? That challenge, it’s a lot. Do you want me to check you over?”

I glance at my arms—cut, bleeding. Doesn’t matter. Nothing matters anymore. I’m numb.

“No. I just want to go home. I’m fine.”

We drive in silence.

When we reach my street, I don’t wait.

I bolt from the car.

My front door bursts open, and Lily stands there, barefoot and frantic.

She catches me before I fall. We drop to the ground and I sob like I’m dying.

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