He shook his head quickly, eyes shining. “No, don’t. Don’t apologize. You had every right to feel that way. I was just… too blind to see it.”

I reached for his face slowly, my fingers trembling as I touched his cheek.

His skin was warm.

Real.

“Did I…” My voice shook. “Did I get hurt because of you?”

His entire body went still.

He stared at me like I’d stabbed him.

Then his eyes dropped.

And the silence answered me before he did.

Tears burned behind my eyes. “Jace…”

His voice came out broken. “You were hit by a car.”

My breath caught.

He continued quickly, like he needed to...