chapter 32

Kelsey’s Regret

Kelsey’s fists slammed into the punching bag, each hit reverberating through the gym. His muscles burned with the effort, sweat dripping from his forehead, but he didn’t slow down. Each punch was fueled by a tempest of anger, regret, and self-loathing. The gym was nearly empty, the steady thud of his punches the only sound echoing in the vast space. He tried to focus on the rhythmic beat of his strikes, but his mind refused to let go of the past two months.

Two months since Emily had disappeared. Two months of endless searching, sleepless nights, and gnawing guilt. Kelsey had thought he could handle the consequences of his actions, but he was wrong. He couldn’t escape the regret that haunted him every moment of the day.

He landed a particularly vicious punch, causing the bag to swing wildly. He had never liked Emily. From the day she was born, he resented her. The way their parents doted on her, the way she seemed to effortlessly attract friends and attention—it all g