It Doesn’t Matter Anymore novel Chapter 43

Driving home, Aaron had a foolish hope. Maybe I’d come back.

The living room was dim. A figure in lace rose from the sofa. “Aaron, you’re back.”

In his hazy vision, she looked like me. He kissed her, tasting desperation. She didn’t resist.

He carried her to the bedroom. But as he laid her down, his fingers brushed cheap lace. I hated lace.

His eyes snapped open. The haze burned away.

Beneath him, Serena gazed up, tears in her eyes.

He recoiled. “Serena? What are you doing here?”

“I’ve loved you for so long,” she whispered.

He threw a blanket at her. “There is nothing here for you.”

Her lips trembled. “Then why do you always save me first? Every time you chose, you chose me!”

Aaron stood frozen, her words landing like blows. He had no defense.

“I felt responsible,” he rasped. “Like a sister.”

“Responsible?” A cold smile touched her lips. She handed him her phone. “She doesn’t love

you anymore.”

Can you see?Photos,ashes with a photo corner; a rare doll in a trash bag. She burned everything,” Serena said softly. Then a video-heavily edited-of me eagerly bargaining with my parents.

Aaron’s face paled. His hands shook. “No! This is a lie!”

He shoved the phone at her, shoved her aside, and stumbled out. He drove to the Harvey mansion, ran upstairs, and kicked open my bedroom

door.

It was empty. My things were in a dusty box in the corner.

His breath hitched. He yanked open the bedside drawer.

There, in an open box, was the engagement ring. The ring I never took off.

His fingers closed around the cold metal. A panic more profound than any he’d ever known seized him.