IN THE MORNING, I wake up to an empty bed.
Asher’s scent is all over my pillows and me, but he’s nowhere to be seen.
He probably retreated back to his room so no one would see us.
Still, it feels empty to wake up to this cold after last night’s warmth. There’s a sweet ache between my legs every time I move and it brings back memories of how he owned me.
I dress in a cute navy dress and take extra time to do my makeup.
I want to knock Asher off his feet. I want him to look at me like he did in the shower yesterday, like he did when he fucked me and when held me as I fell asleep.
He’ll forgive me.
I can feel it in my bones now.
I already cracked his armor, and I have to keep going to destroy it all.
When I come downstairs, I’m hit by the gloomy energy in the house.
The usual pop songs Izzy fills the kitchen with are absent. There are no flowers in the living area. Jason isn’t practicing in the backyard. Asher isn’t doing push-ups by the pool.
The house is eerie and quiet, like a cemetery.
I tiptoe around the kitchen, searching for Izzy. Instead, I find Jason drinking milk from a huge cup.
“Morning.” I grab a bowl for cereal. “Where’s Izzy?”
“Preparing roses for the anniversary.”
I slide in at the counter beside him. “What anniversary?”
He meets my gaze over his cup. “Arianna’s death. This is the third anniversary.”
Oh.
That explains the funeral-like atmosphere in the house.
“Are Alex and Asher going to the cemetery?” I ask.
“If you’re thinking about going with them, it’s better if you don’t.”
I pause pouring cereal into the bowl. “Why not? Arianna and I were friends.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Were you?”
“What is that supposed to mean, Jason?”
“You weren’t friends.”
“But Lucy said we—”
“Lucy doesn’t live in the same house as you.” He puts the bottle of milk on the counter. “Arianna ruined your life, Reina, and you didn’t sit still.”
My hand trembles around the box of cereal. “I…I didn’t sit still?”
“Remember when I told you yesterday that someone is getting revenge?”
I release the box and face him. “What about that?”
“The biggest sin you committed might come back to haunt you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My legs shake, but I stand up anyway.
An urge pushes me to get out of here. I don’t want to stay with Jason or hear whatever nonsense he’s spouting.
His eyes droop on the sides. “You drove Arianna to suicide, Reina.”
“No…” I’m stepping backward, tears gathering in my eyes. My back hits a chair and I stumble, almost falling to my face.
“And do you know who has the biggest grudge against you because of that?” he continues in that clear, neutral tone.
“I don’t want to hear it!” I shout, my voice plagued by tremors.
I turn around and run. My bag falls, books, pens, and notebooks scattering, but I don’t pay it attention.
I need to get the fuck out of here.
“It’s Asher!” Jason shouts at my back. “He returned for revenge, Reina.”
I didn’t hear that.
I didn’t hear him say those words.
My legs turn rigid, but I don’t stop running. I don’t even know where I’m going. This could be the backyard or the pool.
I don’t stop to look behind me or to think.
This can’t be true.
This can’t be happening.
Asher isn’t taking revenge on me. Jason has everything mixed up.
He’s Cloud003. He doesn’t want what’s best for me.
He’s lying.
The sound of a familiar voice stops me in my tracks. I’m in the backyard near the garage.
I tiptoe toward that voice, my heart bleeding and ripping to pieces.
Asher crouches in front of a stone painted with faded pink. He’s wearing a suit, sharp and black. His jet black hair is combed back.
I hide behind a tree, gripping it with trembling fingers.
“It won’t be long now, Ari,” he says to the stone. “I’ll make Reina pay for what she did to you even if it’s the last thing I do.”
I stumble and fall on my ass.
Flashbacks of what happened in the last couple of weeks assault me.
The rooftop, the classroom, and—last but not least—yesterday.
Asher wasn’t there to save me.
He orchestrated the entire thing.
