Chapter 55

The ride back home was excruciatingly awkward. Chase and I barely spoke a word to each other, the tension between us thick and heavy. I stared out the window, trying to process everything that had happened. Chase's secrets, his lies, his sudden change in behavior... it all swirled together in my mind like a toxic storm.

Chase tried to break the silence a few times, but I shut him down. I didn't want to hear his excuses, his justifications. I just wanted the truth, which he obviously wasn't ready to give.

As he rounded the corner to the house, Chase turned to me, his eyes softening. "Elodie, can we talk?"

I shook my head, not looking at him. "No, Chase. We can't."

He sighed, frustration etched on his face. "Elodie, please. I need to explain-"

"No, Chase," I cut him off, my voice firm. "You had your chance to explain. Now it's too late."

I got out of the car, slamming the door behind me. Chase followed, but I didn't look back. I didn't want to see his face, his eyes. I didn't want to fe