Chapter 5

Even when fantasies feel perfect, reality never cuts anyone any slack. Lila’s father didn’t make it through—he died after the failed rescue attempt. By the time Lila rushed back, she didn’t even get to see him one last time. The person she loved most in the world just... was gone. “This is all your fault, you little tramp! If it weren’t for you, how could your father possibly have died so soon?!” Her mother hissed through gritted teeth and slapped her so hard that Lila staggered and collapsed to the ground. Ava quickly moved to her side. “Mrs. White, please don’t be mad at Lila. I’m sure she didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” “Hah! That girl’s been out of control since she was a kid! If only she were half as sensible as you, her father wouldn’t have died like this!” Her mother’s words cut like knives. Lila trembled, her hollow eyes fixed on Ava. “It was her! She set me up!” Smack! As soon as Lila tried to get up, another hard slap landed across her face. “You’re no daughter of mine! I don’t care where you go, just get out of my sight!” “Mom…” Why now? Why was she the one being thrown away? Why did all the blame fall on her? She’d done nothing wrong. She was innocent. But even her mom refused to believe her. If Dad were still here, he would’ve found a way. He’d protect her. He’d believe her. But now he was gone. Because of her. And she couldn’t do anything—couldn’t cry, couldn’t hate enough to change it. Her vision blurred, legs dragging as she wandered aimlessly, not knowing where she was headed. Everything around her felt like it had fallen into darkness. Honk— Suddenly, a blinding light hit her eyes. Lila froze on the spot, body going rigid before she crumpled to the street. “Watch it, dumbass! Think this is a joke?” The driver spat furiously beside her and drove off without a second glance. Lila curled up by the curb, heart hammering. And for a second, she thought—why didn’t I just let it happen? Dying might have been easier. At least she could see Dad again... Somewhere deep inside, something snapped. She forced her aching body up again, dragging her feet toward the middle of the street like some empty shell. Weirdly, she wasn’t scared. The closer she got to the center, the more she felt... free. The light flashed again. She instinctively shut her eyes, bracing for the hit—but nothing came. “Damn it!” Lila’s eyes flew open. She stared in disbelief at the man in front of her. Ethan was fuming as he glared at her. “If you wanna die, find another way—don’t wreck someone else’s car!” “Why did you save me?” she shouted, choking on her sobs, “Why not just let me go? Just because of that stupid photo? No matter how I explain, you still don’t believe me, so what’s the point?! Why bother saving me?!” Ethan’s face stayed cold, but something flickered behind his eyes. “I know you don’t love me. It’s always been me chasing after you like an idiot. I thought maybe after all these years, I’d finally moved you. I even dared to believe you might feel the same…” She laughed bitterly, tears running down her cheeks. “But I was wrong. So wrong.” She loved him. Loved him so pathetically that it was impossible to hide. Ethan was her sky. Her whole world. But her world... just shoved her into hell.