I hated that I’d hurt him, but I couldn’t afford to put his feelings above my own wellbeing.
CHASE
I hear congratulations are in order
ELENA
Yep. Moving to your neck of the woods.
Lame. So lame.
CHASE
Why didn’t you tell me?
I sighed, because Icouldhave. I trusted Chase, and he had no connection to Peter. There was no way Peter would have gone to Chase if he suspected something.
But the need to protect my plan—myself—was so strong that I justcouldn’t.
ELENA
I’m sorry. I couldn’t.
CHASE
Couldn’t? Or wouldn’t?
How was it possible for someone I barely knew to see right through me?
I stared at my phone, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. The cacophony of chatter throughout the cafeteria made organizing my thoughts near impossible.
He deserves an explanation. But do I have the right words?
ELENA
Both. I couldn’t risk Peter finding out. And I wouldn’t let myself lean on anyone. Not even you.
The typing dots appeared immediately.
CHASE
You don’t have to do everything alone
My throat tightened. The words hit too close to home, echoing what my mother used to say before cancer took her.
ELENA
I know. But this was my mess to fix.
CHASE
When?
ELENA
End of May officially. But I’m working on moving out sooner.
CHASE
