Page 129 of The Sound Of Silence

“Because I’m in love with you!” I yell back, the words slipping from my mouth without my permission.

Willow’s body stills as her eyes widen. She stares intently, and I can see a million questions in her gaze, but I never expected the disgust that comes when she finally speaks.

“You love me?” She laughs sardonically, shaking her head. “You wanted me to hate you but you love me?”

“Yes,” I rasp again, completely defeated.

“Because you knew this day was coming.”

“Yes.”

“You need to leave.”

“No, Willow—”

“Go!” she yells as loud as she can.

Not happening.“You can hate me, you can yell at me, you can do anything you want to hurt me. But I amnotleaving unless you come too.”

A throat clears behind us, drawing both our eyes to Tate as he steps into the clearing, a sympathetic frown on his face.

It takes me less than a second to decide I have no choice but to trust him. He’s here. I don’t have anyone else to ask for help.

“Can you call Pippa?” I say before tossing him my phone and turning back to a now panicked Willow.

“Are you going to hurt me?” she whispers, her eyes flashing between mine and Tate’s as she grips the hem of her tee. “Were you there too?” she asks him.

I feel my heart split, opening up to release an outpouring of regret through my body.

“Never, Willow. We’d never hurt—”

“You already have.” She shakes her head, cutting me off.

All the emotion drains from her face until she’s left with nothing, her expression blank, her spark distinguished. She’s gone. I’ve taken everything from her.

And she doesn’t even realize she’s taken everything from me in return.

If I’d just stayed away, this beautiful woman would have remained whole. And I’ll never forgive myself for that.

“Willow, I—”

“Willow!” Pippa yells, drawing our attention as she rushes into the clearing with Ryan right behind her. Her eyes assess the scene before she runs to Willow’s side and drops to the ground in front of her.

My brows furrow as I look toward Tate, knowing he hasn’t even lifted my phone to make the call.

“I was one step ahead of you.” He shrugs as Ryan and Pippa lift Willow to her feet, both of them acting like I’m not even there.

“Come on, let’s get you home.”

Willow’s a shell of her former self as she moves my way, barely able to stay on her toes. When her eyes lock on mine, she holds my stare and metaphorically delivers the final blow. “I want nothing to do with you,” she whispers, further breaking my heart. “But since I need answers, I’ll be in touch.”

“Willow,” I plead, though I have no idea what I’m asking. She has every right to be angry. Even if she doesn’t know the full story.

Pippa’s eyes flash to mine, confusion marring her expression, but she doesn’t speak. She doesn’t try to help.

And as they disappear into the thick forest, every decent piece of me goes with them.

I drop to the ground as darkness seeps into my soul and my body goes numb, the scene around me fading away.

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