son's

d, a frown tugging at t

rp tone, narrowing my eyes. Without waiting for his response, I

an asked, his smile still in place

you to Califo

eeting to attend here,

out it?" I asked, feigning annoyance.

t you surprised to see me?" He a

lp but smile.

I caught the tightness in Scott's expression. I noticed he tensed up as soon as Stefan made the gesture. The look on his face was

, his voice tense as though he had a

u said it was a coincidence that you passed this way, right? Then

like this-jealous and possessive. Before our breakup six years ago, I couldn't even talk to another man without him showing signs of anger. He didn't jump to conclusions, but he made it clear that he didn't like it.

t to be angry-not after what he had done to me. I didn't know how to respond at first, but then I remembered the lie I'd told him: tha

little. I took a deep breath, steadying my

mes he'd asked me out and I'd brushed him off, suggesting we just remain friends. Now, out of the blue, I declare

ott repeated, his voic

urprised to meet my fiancé?" I asked, my voice firm but

I was startled but kept my composure. "Yes, I'm her fian

to introduce himself. "Now that you've met my fiancé, stop showing up everyw

red, and for a second, I thought he might cry. I had seen him cry before-during my worst illness, when he thought he might lose me.

me," I said, determined to leave with Stefan, but

can't let you leave with him. I'll take you home myself, just t

. I wasn't pleased with Scott's insinuation either. Stefan had always been a good friend to me.

her life," Scott snapped, his w

ust you?" I shot ba

, his voice breaking. "You real

you did," I said, my voice steady. "I stopped knowing

my hand, his eyes full of

, I'm

"Your apologies won't change anything. My life has been peaceful, but now

ove off. As we drove away, I glanced back through the rearview mirror. Scott stood there, motionless, watching us leave. Hi

as there more to his actions than I realized? Did