Chapter 3

I tapped the backpack stuffed with food and said, "Stop pretending, Cole. Are you looking for this?"

Cole said, "I'm sorry, Ivy. I didn't really mean to hurt you.

"After we went down the hole, I started thinking about everything we've been through in the past seven years. Maybe life wore us down, but those years were my youth.

"I don't blame you for untying the rope. I brought this on myself. I'm sure I still love you.

"Seven years ago, I promised to protect you for the rest of my life. Now that there's no way out, I want…