Summer's heart shook violently. She had believed it had long turned to stone after everything she'd lost. Yet the moment Danica claimed her place beside Gideon, the pain surged back as if her heart were being shattered all over again.
"You should stay away from him," Danica warned coldly. "Otherwise, you'll get hurt again."
The challenge ignited Summer's anger. 'This isn't the time to fall apart,' she reminded herself sharply. She couldn't afford to show weakness. Her purpose was still unfinished.
"I did make a mistake back then," Summer said evenly. "I shouldn't have run away. I should've stayed and forced Gideon to see the truth. But I believed he no longer loved me, and that's why I left." She paused, eyes glinting. "Turns out, I was wrong."
A slow, sly smile curved her lips. "He never stopped loving me."
Fury churned inside Danica. Her fingers curled into her palm, nails biting deep.
