Chapter 7

Antonio leaned in, closing the distance between them. Abrielle could smell the cool cedar scent on him and feel the heat radiating from his body.

This was the first time she'd ever been this close to a man who wasn't Spencer, especially in such a tight, almost too-close space. In that moment, Abrielle couldn't shake the feeling that she was prey, caught in the sights of a predator.

"After the way he treats you, why not choose me?" Antonio's voice was low and husky, sounding more like a grown man than some young guy.

Antonio's voice was low and husky, deep and mature, nothing like a boy's.

Abrielle let out a sigh.

"My rejection has nothing to do with Spencer. You're still young, you haven't even had your wild phase yet. Don't waste your time on someone like me," Abrielle said.

"Do you really not feel anything for me?" Antonio asked.

No matter how mature he tried to seem, deep down, he was still just a kid.

Of course, getting rejected by someone you care about hurts.

"No," Abrielle replied.

"You're lying," Antonio said.

Antonio kept staring at her, his eyes full of a subtle, almost hypnotic allure.

"You're blushing," Antonio teased.

Abrielle's body tensed, and she looked down.

"It's so hot in here, anyone would blush," she mumbled.

"Thanks for driving me home today. I'm heading inside," she said.

She gently pushed his hand away and stepped out of the car.

Watching her walk away, Antonio's usual laid-back vibe faded, and his voice grew earnest.

"I've waited seven years for you. Another month won't make a difference to me," he said.

"If Spencer really gets married in a month, then I'll come for you," he added.

Abrielle didn't even pause.

After her shower, she came out to find that Antonio was finally gone.

Abrielle collapsed onto her bed, exhausted, but his words kept echoing in her mind.

She knew Antonio was serious. He'd been saying he liked her for seven years, after all.

But she just didn't have it in her to trust a man with her future so completely ever again.

The next morning, when Abrielle woke up, she saw that Spencer had called her dozens of times and sent just as many messages.

She didn't even bother to look at them. She blocked him right away, then grabbed a cab and headed to her usual church.

Incense hung heavy in the air, and devout worshippers were scattered throughout, each quietly praying for their own wishes.

Abrielle walked straight into the sanctuary, knelt before the altar, and bowed three times.

This time, she wasn't praying for her and Spencer anymore. She was finally praying for her own future.

She wished that, from this moment on, no matter how long the road or how high the mountains, she and Spencer would never see each other again.

As she was heading out, Abrielle came face to face with Spencer, who was there with Rosie, accompanying her as she offered prayers.

Spencer caught sight of her and, in a low voice, asked, "What are you doing here?"

Abrielle didn't say a word. She just grabbed a pair of scissors and cut down the nine heart-shaped tokens she'd once hung on the wall herself, each one a promise of eternal love.

There were nine of them, meant to symbolize a love that would last through every lifetime, binding them together no matter how many times they were reborn.

Without a second thought, she tossed them all into the dry well.

Seeing her actions, Spencer lost his composure and quickly caught her by the wrist, unable to hold back any longer.

"Abrielle, what's that supposed to mean?" he demanded.

Abrielle just stood there, giving him a soft look, but her eyes gave nothing away. There wasn't a trace of emotion in them.

"This thing between us is over. There's no point holding onto these love locks anymore," she said.

Abrielle shook off his hand and walked away. As she brushed past Rosie, Rosie stuck out her leg on purpose, tripping her.

Abrielle lost her balance and went tumbling down the long stone steps.

Jagged stones tore at her skin, blood gushing from the cuts and streaking the steps crimson.

When she finally came to a stop, her body was battered and bleeding, her head spinning and her vision going black.

Screams filled the air around her. "Abrielle!"

"Abrielle!"

Half-conscious, she saw Spencer rushing toward her, just like that time years ago when he'd run to her, out of breath, just to tell her he loved her.

He was shouting her name, just like he did back then.

When Abrielle finally came to, the harsh glare of the hospital room's overhead lights stabbed at her eyes.

"Abrielle, you're finally awake! Are you feeling okay? Is anything hurting?" Spencer's voice was thick with worry.

"You've been out for a whole day. I was so scared you might never wake up..." he added.

Spencer was right there by her side, his eyes red-rimmed with worry.

He held her hand tightly, his voice shaking as he spoke.

"I didn't know you'd fall. If I'd caught you sooner, this never would've happened. You've got a scar on your forehead. Does it hurt?" he asked.

"Don't worry, once you're out of the hospital, I'll take you to get it fixed up..." he added.

"I took a few days off so I can be here with you," he said softly, concern written all over his face.

His fingertips were ice-cold, but his grip was so desperate, like he was afraid she might vanish if he let go for even a second.

Abrielle didn't so much as twitch an eyelid.