She suddenly lets go of the steering wheel, but we’re still going fast. She turns to look at me, her smile sad, her eyes crazed. “It’s all your fault for being perfect.”

The Jeep hits the water so hard that I lunge forward then try to unbuckle my seatbelt; it sticks for a few seconds as we sink.

Chilly blackness covers me as I try to get the window down. It’s past halfway, enough to escape out of, when I turn and see Tessa choking on water. I undo her seatbelt and grab her, trying to pull her out with me.

We’re completely immersed when the Jeep hit’s something hard, jolting me so far into the back of the car that all I see is Tessa’s floating body and darkness.

I start to choke.

Arms wrap around me; they’re not large. I see a woman with dark hair and frown, struggling to hold my breath.

I’m in and out of consciousness as something pulls me from the car and the water.

When I blink up, all I see is sunshine.

And my mom.

I see my mom.

So I know. I must be dead.

She no longer exists.

How sad that in my last moments, I saw the last person who abandoned my perfect life.

I reach for her and feel the stinging sensation of tears forming and falling down my cheeks.

“I still love you,” I whisper before closing my eyes for good.

It’s all my fault, after all, for trying so hard to be what everyone wanted me to be rather than myself.

I should have loved more.

I should have protected my friend before my family.

I should have told MB it was okay, that it wasn’t her fault the very second my dad died.

Should have, should have, should haves suck.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Mary-Belle

“He’s still out.” Tears stream down my cheeks. I’ve never been more freaked out than when Quinn pulled me aside and had me listen to the conversation Tessa and Ambrose were having.

I don’t know why, but I immediately called Ambrose’s mom, and weirdly enough, she had just left the airport and was driving home and saw them go screaming by.

She hung up on me.

And that was it.

I could have never known the ramifications of that one phone call. I stare at him in the hospital bed, and I know, I’m convinced, he’s going to blame me again.

It’s going to be my fault again.

His entire perfect life fell apart the minute I walked in that door. The minute I walked into his life—mine began—his ended.

I’m shaking and don’t even realize it. I know I need to go to the house and pack up my things. I haven’t asked yet, but I’m hoping Quinn can at least take me in for a few days while I try to finish school and find a job. I have some money saved from Ambrose’s mom, but this is where it ends.