I hate that my insecure scars from before are ruining it right now. Tears blur my vision and break my heart. Arrick catches my face with a hand on each side, molding my cheeks, and pulls me to him so I can’t turn away, bringing my forehead to his in the flickering light so that I can make out his eyes on mine.

“I regret that every day, Sophie. Even now, because those three months of not being with you killed me and hurt you. They ripped me apart in every way imaginable, like a ...