Chapter 8
Things wrapped up fast after that. Fonda didn’t put up much of a fight, and my injuries weren’t anything dramatic–just a few scrapes and bruises. I skipped the hospital, got some quick bandaging, and went straight to the station to give my statement.
On the way there, sitting in the police car, I glanced at Tyler. “How’d you even know something happened to me?”
His face tightened, fear still lingering in his eyes. “I wanted to ask what you had for lunch,
but
you didn’t respond to my messages. You weren’t answering calls either, so… I knew something was wrong.”
He lifted a hand toward my bandaged arm, hesitated, then let it fall back. “I even checked
with your assistant. When no one knew anything, I called the police. But it was still too late.
11
Something about his words made me squirm. “You weren’t that late, though. I’m alive, aren’t I? Don’t make it sound like you’re jinxing me or something.”
He gave a half–smile, clearly at a loss for words.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief. The tension in the car had finally cracked, just a little.
Then, out of nowhere, Tyler hugged me.
“I was really worried about you,” he said.
I froze, awkwardly mumbling, “Uh… I’m sorry… I just don’t understand…
I didn’t understand why he loved me. His love felt unfounded–like something I couldn’t trust, couldn’t believe in.
As if he could hear the thoughts swirling in my head, he murmured, “Because you deserve to be loved.”
“Selene,” he said, his voice grave and deliberate. I couldn’t see his face, but the weight in his words was impossible to ignore. “You’re a truly remarkable person. You always have been.”
I didn’t get it.
Sure, I knew I was exceptional. I worked hard, I was resilient–fine. But to love someone because of that? It felt shallow.
Did I even know Tyler? Did he know me?
Did he love me–the person
-or just some shiny, idealized version of me? If it was the latter, would he just fall for someone else who checked the same boxes?
Chapter 8
+25 BONUS
Love was too fragile for that.
“That’s why I like you so much,” he added quietly. “I always have.”
I responded, “I’m sorry, but I don’t like you.”
It was the truth. I didn’t like Tyler.
Not now. Not seven years ago.
It wasn’t about doubting his feelings–I believed him. But just because he loved me, that mean I had to love him back?
did
Tyler’s face fell, disbelief flickering in his eyes. “I really love you. Don’t you believe me?”
I held his gaze, calm and steady. “I believe you. But just because you love me, does that mean I have to love you back?”
The air in the car turned icy.
I turned to stare out the window, watching the blur of trees fly past, and didn’t say another word.
After I finished giving my statement at the police station, my parents showed up, worried out of their minds, to take me home.
Tyler and I didn’t exchange a single word the entire time.
“What’s going on between you two?” Mom finally asked, her tone careful but curious.
“Nothing.” I’d already gotten my phone back and was scrolling through it absentmindedly. Most of the notifications were missed calls and messages–from Tyler. “He confessed, so now we can’t even be friends.”
Mom blinked, clearly not expecting that to be the reason. She started to say something, paused, and sighed instead. “I actually thought you two would make a good pair.”
I smiled faintly but didn’t answer.
