Chapter 130: Sham Arrangement

Even the sound of the rain had changed while waiting for an answer from Dean. It wasn’t pounding intensely anymore—it was softer now, steady, like it had grown tired too. Dean hadn’t said anything for nearly a full minute. The silence stretched so long it started to ache. I leaned back, crossed my arms, and stared straight ahead at the rippling reflections of headlights passing by on the wet road. “You’re not answering,” I said finally. “Does that mean I’m right?” He shook his head, quickly. “No, that’s not it—Sav, come on. I’m not trying to manipulate you.” “That’s exactly what a manipulator would say.” “God, you make everything so difficult.” He let out a rough sigh and ran a hand through his hair. His knuckles were pale. “I know I screwed up. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But I’m trying to make it right.” “Make it right?” I repeated, my voice a whisper drowned out by the noise outside. “You can’t make right something that’s already rotten.” He opened his mouth to speak, b