"I'll never love. Never marry." The police academy student who retrieved her stolen phone had deep eyes and a vow carved in ice. His parents were murdered by cartels, and his life had one purpose: revenge. Yet she kept crashing into his world, until cracks appeared in his armor... On graduation day, he vanished to the U.S.-Mexico border as a narcotics agent, severing all contact. She fled to Switzerland, where news of his death shattered her. Years later, to fulfill her dying mother's wish, she married a man who also lost his first love. Then she saw him across the wedding crowd— alive.

Chapter 1[Elissa]At the moment I was supposed to say my wedding vows, I saw him—my boyfriend, the undercover narcotics officer who'd been dead for two years. He was sitting in the shadows at the back of the church, quietly watching me.Before my mind could even process it, tears were already streaming down my face.My whole body trembled.The officiant chuckled and said, "Looks like our bride is just overwhelmed with emotion. Marrying the love of your life—what a beautiful day! Let's give her a round of applause!"Friends and family clapped for me.He lowered his head, smiled faintly, poured himself a drink, and, from across the room, raised his glass to me before downing it in one go.Haltingly, I tried to recite my vows. "For the rest of my life, I will be faithful to you, through every joy and sorrow, through life and death, no matter—"I couldn't go on. Those words were meant for him.The groom gently wiped the tears from my cheeks and leaned down to kiss me.Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced back at that shadowed corner. He was gone.-I met Steven Chambers back in college.My phone was stolen at the subway exit. In my heels, I chased the thief down the street, only to twist both ankles in the process.Out of breath, lagging farther and farther behind, the pain finally overwhelmed me. I clung to a tree and broke down in tears.Then someone brushed past me, tall and lean in a black hoodie, sprinting like a predator on the hunt.Another guy grinned as he helped me up. "Don't cry. That's our class president. With him on the case, your phone's as good as found."I glanced at his school badge: he was from the police academy next door. Name tag: Calvert.Less than a minute later, the guy in the black hoodie came striding back, the thief in tow and my phone in hand."Thirty-nine seconds, Steven. You getting faster at sprints again?" Calvert checked his watch, then glanced at the thief. "Tough luck, man. You picked the wrong day to run into the fastest guy in our department."The thief kept his head down, utterly defeated.Steven, as Calvert called him, didn't bother with words. He simply walked over and handed my phone back.I steadied myself against the tree and reached out. "Thank you—"A sharp pain shot through my ankle, and I nearly collapsed to the ground. He caught me just in time.His arm was strong and steady, and for a moment, I landed smack against his chest. I caught a faint whiff of laundry detergent from his hoodie, and my chin bumped against his collarbone.Steven quickly let go, stepping back to put distance between us.Calvert noticed and teased, "Whoa, twisted both ankles, huh? Steven, shouldn't you carry her to the station?"Steven just gave him a frosty glare.Calvert grinned, turning to me. "Did you know? Today, I dragged him to St. Mary's, and Father Benedict insisted on giving him a fortune card."I looked at him, puzzled.Steven clearly wanted to stop him, but Calvert blurted it all out in one breath."Father Benedict said Steven's soulmate isn't in the past or the future, but right now. And the moment we leave, he bumps into you. Coincidence, huh?"Steven shot him a warning look, clearly telling him to shut up.Clutching my phone, I felt my face flush for reasons I couldn't explain.Even the thief seemed confused. "So, are we still going to the station or not? I mean, I already gave the phone back."Calvert rolled his eyes, grabbed the thief in a headlock, and dragged him off. "Steven, you take care of the lady. Both ankles, man—she's your responsibility now!"Mortified, I said, "I'm fine, really. I can walk by myself."I took a step—and winced in pain."Don't push yourself," I heard him say.The next thing I knew, his arms swept under my knees, and he lifted me up.Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck, only to let go in a panic.The streetlights cast his profile in sharp relief, the lines of his face fading into the shadows of his hoodie.I quietly reached out and clung to his sleeve.Steven didn't react—he acted like he hadn't even noticed.After the police report, when we got back to campus, Barbara was already waiting at the gate, showering him with gratitude.Steven just nodded, then turned and walked away.I don't know where I found the courage, but I called out, "Wait! Can I have your number?"He paused, but didn't stop. With his back to me, he just waved.Under the empty streetlights, his shadow stretched long across the pavement.Suddenly, I remembered a line from an old poem.I'll walk these mountains alone. No need to see me off.The school had organized a mixer with the police academy.I channeled all the energy I'd reserved for finals into writing my personal profile—polished, impressive, and maybe a bit over the top. It worked; I got selected without a hitch.My eyes swept quickly across the room opposite ours, searching for Steven. No luck.My spirits immediately sank. A few guys came over and asked me to dance, but I turned them down.Couples were already gliding across the dance floor, laughter and music filling the room, while I just drifted off, lost in thought.Then, from the doorway, someone called out, "Steven? Thought you weren't coming tonight!"I shot up from my seat. Sure enough, there was Steven, talking to someone at the entrance."Training just ended, so I had time to sign in," he was saying.The guy he was talking to was Calvert, who grinned and nudged him. "Professor Eddie wants you here to make us look good, and you're just popping in for attendance?"Steven couldn't be bothered to respond. He signed his name and turned to leave.I blurted out, "Steven!"He looked back, surprised, his dark eyes locking on mine.I swallowed my nerves. "Would you dance with me?"Calvert immediately started teasing, "Whoa, look at that—Steven's soulmate, right on cue!"Steven hesitated, then called out my name, a little uncertain. "Elissa Rivers?"I nodded, nearly tripping over my words. "I—I haven't danced at all tonight. Would you maybe…?"He was quiet for a moment before answering, "I don't know how to dance."My heart dropped.I tried to play it cool. "Oh, okay. That's fine."Calvert shot me a sympathetic look.I forced a small smile back.Steven pressed his lips together, then, unexpectedly, said, "But if you'd like, I could buy you a coffee."I felt like I was dreaming, holding that warm latte in my hands.Steven was never very talkative, but tonight he seemed quieter than ever, barely saying a word as we sat together.The dance was winding down. A few people trickled out of the hall, chatting quietly.The school bus waited just outside. The driver stood nearby, taking a smoke break.Steven glanced at me. "How are you getting back?"A pang of disappointment hit me. "The school has us all leaving together. They'll be taking attendance."He just nodded, checked his watch, and said, "I'll head out, then."I don't know why, but I had this sudden sense that once he left, I might never see him again.Before I could think it through, I called after him, "Steven."He turned, brow slightly raised, waiting for me to speak.I fiddled nervously with the hem of my dress, searching for an excuse, any excuse. "They told me I have to bring back a… potential partner from this mixer. Can you help me out?"There was a pause as the words hung between us.Finally, Steven replied, "Maybe I'm being presumptuous, but I think I should tell you: barring the unexpected, I don't intend to date anyone. Ever. I don't plan on getting married or starting a family."I stood there, stunned.I have no idea how long I stayed frozen like that. The bus driver stubbed out his cigarette and called, "Time to board!"Suddenly snapped back to reality, I stammered, "Oh. Okay. Thank you for the coffee. Goodbye."He looked at me, eyes lowered. "Goodbye."I got my heart broken, even though it was just a crush.Barbara dragged me out for drinks, insisting she had some hot guys to introduce to me.Everyone else hit the dance floor while I stayed behind, zoning out. My mind drifted right back to Steven.He once told me he'd never fall in love in this lifetime…Before I knew it, I'd finished two frozen margaritas.Whoever said alcohol could drown your sorrows was a liar. If anything, it made the ache worse.When the night finally wound down, Barbara led me through a shortcut home. I leaned into her, mumbling nonsense right into her ear.Halfway through the alley, I had to squat by a trash can, fighting the urge to throw up. Suddenly, Barbara's shriek split the night behind me.I turned, and without thinking, hurled myself at the man grabbing her."Back off, you jerk! Let her go!"He barely budged. Instead, he shoved me hard, and I crashed to the ground, my faux fur coat falling open to reveal the camisole underneath.He let go of Barbara and started toward me.He grabbed my arm, yanking me up, and with his other hand, roughly tore off my coat."Pretty loyal, huh, sweetheart? Fine. You take her place."I slapped him across the face without thinking.His face twisted in pain—then his hand clamped around my throat.Barbara lunged, clawing at his fingers, screaming, "Help! Somebody help!"Outside the bar, the street was packed with people heading home. Their laughter and voices echoed everywhere.No one could hear what was happening in this alley.My vision started to go black. Stars burst and shimmered, tumbling over each other.Suddenly, the man was yanked away. A fist flashed—fast and brutal. In seconds, the guy was sprawled on the ground, not moving.I slid down the wall, clutching my throat, coughing hard.And then I collapsed into someone's arms—warm, solid.Steven's face appeared above me, his brows furrowed. "Are you alright?"Alcohol really is something. It even lets me see Steven.Maybe I should drink more often; if I can't see him in real life, at least I can see him in my hallucinations.He waited for me to say something. When I just stared at him, he waved his hand in front of my eyes. "Hey—are you still with me?"I caught his wrist, holding on tight.Under the alley's dim light, I saw him raise an eyebrow, questioning.I said, "Barbara, you gave me something trippy, didn't you? How come people in my hallucinations hand me tissues? Isn't that hilarious? Ha! Ha ha ha ha…"Barbara staggered to her feet, bracing herself against the wall and gasping for breath. "Are you out of your damn mind? That is Steven!"Chapter 2[Elissa]At the moment I was supposed to say my wedding vows, I saw him—my boyfriend, the undercover narcotics officer who'd been dead for two years. He was sitting in the shadows at the back of the church, quietly watching me.Before my mind could even process it, tears were already streaming down my face.My whole body trembled.The officiant chuckled and said, "Looks like our bride is just overwhelmed with emotion. Marrying the love of your life—what a beautiful day! Let's give her a round of applause!"Friends and family clapped for me.He lowered his head, smiled faintly, poured himself a drink, and, from across the room, raised his glass to me before downing it in one go.Haltingly, I tried to recite my vows. "For the rest of my life, I will be faithful to you, through every joy and sorrow, through life and death, no matter—"I couldn't go on. Those words were meant for him.The groom gently wiped the tears from my cheeks and leaned down to kiss me.Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced back at that shadowed corner. He was gone.-I met Steven Chambers back in college.My phone was stolen at the subway exit. In my heels, I chased the thief down the street, only to twist both ankles in the process.Out of breath, lagging farther and farther behind, the pain finally overwhelmed me. I clung to a tree and broke down in tears.Then someone brushed past me, tall and lean in a black hoodie, sprinting like a predator on the hunt.Another guy grinned as he helped me up. "Don't cry. That's our class president. With him on the case, your phone's as good as found."I glanced at his school badge: he was from the police academy next door. Name tag: Calvert.Less than a minute later, the guy in the black hoodie came striding back, the thief in tow and my phone in hand."Thirty-nine seconds, Steven. You getting faster at sprints again?" Calvert checked his watch, then glanced at the thief. "Tough luck, man. You picked the wrong day to run into the fastest guy in our department."The thief kept his head down, utterly defeated.Steven, as Calvert called him, didn't bother with words. He simply walked over and handed my phone back.I steadied myself against the tree and reached out. "Thank you—"A sharp pain shot through my ankle, and I nearly collapsed to the ground. He caught me just in time.His arm was strong and steady, and for a moment, I landed smack against his chest. I caught a faint whiff of laundry detergent from his hoodie, and my chin bumped against his collarbone.Steven quickly let go, stepping back to put distance between us.Calvert noticed and teased, "Whoa, twisted both ankles, huh? Steven, shouldn't you carry her to the station?"Steven just gave him a frosty glare.Calvert grinned, turning to me. "Did you know? Today, I dragged him to St. Mary's, and Father Benedict insisted on giving him a fortune card."I looked at him, puzzled.Steven clearly wanted to stop him, but Calvert blurted it all out in one breath."Father Benedict said Steven's soulmate isn't in the past or the future, but right now. And the moment we leave, he bumps into you. Coincidence, huh?"Steven shot him a warning look, clearly telling him to shut up.Clutching my phone, I felt my face flush for reasons I couldn't explain.Even the thief seemed confused. "So, are we still going to the station or not? I mean, I already gave the phone back."Calvert rolled his eyes, grabbed the thief in a headlock, and dragged him off. "Steven, you take care of the lady. Both ankles, man—she's your responsibility now!"Mortified, I said, "I'm fine, really. I can walk by myself."I took a step—and winced in pain."Don't push yourself," I heard him say.The next thing I knew, his arms swept under my knees, and he lifted me up.Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck, only to let go in a panic.The streetlights cast his profile in sharp relief, the lines of his face fading into the shadows of his hoodie.I quietly reached out and clung to his sleeve.Steven didn't react—he acted like he hadn't even noticed.After the police report, when we got back to campus, Barbara was already waiting at the gate, showering him with gratitude.Steven just nodded, then turned and walked away.I don't know where I found the courage, but I called out, "Wait! Can I have your number?"He paused, but didn't stop. With his back to me, he just waved.Under the empty streetlights, his shadow stretched long across the pavement.Suddenly, I remembered a line from an old poem.I'll walk these mountains alone. No need to see me off.The school had organized a mixer with the police academy.I channeled all the energy I'd reserved for finals into writing my personal profile—polished, impressive, and maybe a bit over the top. It worked; I got selected without a hitch.My eyes swept quickly across the room opposite ours, searching for Steven. No luck.My spirits immediately sank. A few guys came over and asked me to dance, but I turned them down.Couples were already gliding across the dance floor, laughter and music filling the room, while I just drifted off, lost in thought.Then, from the doorway, someone called out, "Steven? Thought you weren't coming tonight!"I shot up from my seat. Sure enough, there was Steven, talking to someone at the entrance."Training just ended, so I had time to sign in," he was saying.The guy he was talking to was Calvert, who grinned and nudged him. "Professor Eddie wants you here to make us look good, and you're just popping in for attendance?"Steven couldn't be bothered to respond. He signed his name and turned to leave.I blurted out, "Steven!"He looked back, surprised, his dark eyes locking on mine.I swallowed my nerves. "Would you dance with me?"Calvert immediately started teasing, "Whoa, look at that—Steven's soulmate, right on cue!"Steven hesitated, then called out my name, a little uncertain. "Elissa Rivers?"I nodded, nearly tripping over my words. "I—I haven't danced at all tonight. Would you maybe…?"He was quiet for a moment before answering, "I don't know how to dance."My heart dropped.I tried to play it cool. "Oh, okay. That's fine."Calvert shot me a sympathetic look.I forced a small smile back.Steven pressed his lips together, then, unexpectedly, said, "But if you'd like, I could buy you a coffee."I felt like I was dreaming, holding that warm latte in my hands.Steven was never very talkative, but tonight he seemed quieter than ever, barely saying a word as we sat together.The dance was winding down. A few people trickled out of the hall, chatting quietly.The school bus waited just outside. The driver stood nearby, taking a smoke break.Steven glanced at me. "How are you getting back?"A pang of disappointment hit me. "The school has us all leaving together. They'll be taking attendance."He just nodded, checked his watch, and said, "I'll head out, then."I don't know why, but I had this sudden sense that once he left, I might never see him again.Before I could think it through, I called after him, "Steven."He turned, brow slightly raised, waiting for me to speak.I fiddled nervously with the hem of my dress, searching for an excuse, any excuse. "They told me I have to bring back a… potential partner from this mixer. Can you help me out?"There was a pause as the words hung between us.Finally, Steven replied, "Maybe I'm being presumptuous, but I think I should tell you: barring the unexpected, I don't intend to date anyone. Ever. I don't plan on getting married or starting a family."I stood there, stunned.I have no idea how long I stayed frozen like that. The bus driver stubbed out his cigarette and called, "Time to board!"Suddenly snapped back to reality, I stammered, "Oh. Okay. Thank you for the coffee. Goodbye."He looked at me, eyes lowered. "Goodbye."I got my heart broken, even though it was just a crush.Barbara dragged me out for drinks, insisting she had some hot guys to introduce to me.Everyone else hit the dance floor while I stayed behind, zoning out. My mind drifted right back to Steven.He once told me he'd never fall in love in this lifetime…Before I knew it, I'd finished two frozen margaritas.Whoever said alcohol could drown your sorrows was a liar. If anything, it made the ache worse.When the night finally wound down, Barbara led me through a shortcut home. I leaned into her, mumbling nonsense right into her ear.Halfway through the alley, I had to squat by a trash can, fighting the urge to throw up. Suddenly, Barbara's shriek split the night behind me.I turned, and without thinking, hurled myself at the man grabbing her."Back off, you jerk! Let her go!"He barely budged. Instead, he shoved me hard, and I crashed to the ground, my faux fur coat falling open to reveal the camisole underneath.He let go of Barbara and started toward me.He grabbed my arm, yanking me up, and with his other hand, roughly tore off my coat."Pretty loyal, huh, sweetheart? Fine. You take her place."I slapped him across the face without thinking.His face twisted in pain—then his hand clamped around my throat.Barbara lunged, clawing at his fingers, screaming, "Help! Somebody help!"Outside the bar, the street was packed with people heading home. Their laughter and voices echoed everywhere.No one could hear what was happening in this alley.My vision started to go black. Stars burst and shimmered, tumbling over each other.Suddenly, the man was yanked away. A fist flashed—fast and brutal. In seconds, the guy was sprawled on the ground, not moving.I slid down the wall, clutching my throat, coughing hard.And then I collapsed into someone's arms—warm, solid.Steven's face appeared above me, his brows furrowed. "Are you alright?"Alcohol really is something. It even lets me see Steven.Maybe I should drink more often; if I can't see him in real life, at least I can see him in my hallucinations.He waited for me to say something. When I just stared at him, he waved his hand in front of my eyes. "Hey—are you still with me?"I caught his wrist, holding on tight.Under the alley's dim light, I saw him raise an eyebrow, questioning.I said, "Barbara, you gave me something trippy, didn't you? How come people in my hallucinations hand me tissues? Isn't that hilarious? Ha! Ha ha ha ha…"Barbara staggered to her feet, bracing herself against the wall and gasping for breath. "Are you out of your damn mind? That is Steven!"Chapter 3[Elissa]At the moment I was supposed to say my wedding vows, I saw him—my boyfriend, the undercover narcotics officer who'd been dead for two years. He was sitting in the shadows at the back of the church, quietly watching me.Before my mind could even process it, tears were already streaming down my face.My whole body trembled.The officiant chuckled and said, "Looks like our bride is just overwhelmed with emotion. Marrying the love of your life—what a beautiful day! Let's give her a round of applause!"Friends and family clapped for me.He lowered his head, smiled faintly, poured himself a drink, and, from across the room, raised his glass to me before downing it in one go.Haltingly, I tried to recite my vows. "For the rest of my life, I will be faithful to you, through every joy and sorrow, through life and death, no matter—"I couldn't go on. Those words were meant for him.The groom gently wiped the tears from my cheeks and leaned down to kiss me.Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced back at that shadowed corner. He was gone.-I met Steven Chambers back in college.My phone was stolen at the subway exit. In my heels, I chased the thief down the street, only to twist both ankles in the process.Out of breath, lagging farther and farther behind, the pain finally overwhelmed me. I clung to a tree and broke down in tears.Then someone brushed past me, tall and lean in a black hoodie, sprinting like a predator on the hunt.Another guy grinned as he helped me up. "Don't cry. That's our class president. With him on the case, your phone's as good as found."I glanced at his school badge: he was from the police academy next door. Name tag: Calvert.Less than a minute later, the guy in the black hoodie came striding back, the thief in tow and my phone in hand."Thirty-nine seconds, Steven. You getting faster at sprints again?" Calvert checked his watch, then glanced at the thief. "Tough luck, man. You picked the wrong day to run into the fastest guy in our department."The thief kept his head down, utterly defeated.Steven, as Calvert called him, didn't bother with words. He simply walked over and handed my phone back.I steadied myself against the tree and reached out. "Thank you—"A sharp pain shot through my ankle, and I nearly collapsed to the ground. He caught me just in time.His arm was strong and steady, and for a moment, I landed smack against his chest. I caught a faint whiff of laundry detergent from his hoodie, and my chin bumped against his collarbone.Steven quickly let go, stepping back to put distance between us.Calvert noticed and teased, "Whoa, twisted both ankles, huh? Steven, shouldn't you carry her to the station?"Steven just gave him a frosty glare.Calvert grinned, turning to me. "Did you know? Today, I dragged him to St. Mary's, and Father Benedict insisted on giving him a fortune card."I looked at him, puzzled.Steven clearly wanted to stop him, but Calvert blurted it all out in one breath."Father Benedict said Steven's soulmate isn't in the past or the future, but right now. And the moment we leave, he bumps into you. Coincidence, huh?"Steven shot him a warning look, clearly telling him to shut up.Clutching my phone, I felt my face flush for reasons I couldn't explain.Even the thief seemed confused. "So, are we still going to the station or not? I mean, I already gave the phone back."Calvert rolled his eyes, grabbed the thief in a headlock, and dragged him off. "Steven, you take care of the lady. Both ankles, man—she's your responsibility now!"Mortified, I said, "I'm fine, really. I can walk by myself."I took a step—and winced in pain."Don't push yourself," I heard him say.The next thing I knew, his arms swept under my knees, and he lifted me up.Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck, only to let go in a panic.The streetlights cast his profile in sharp relief, the lines of his face fading into the shadows of his hoodie.I quietly reached out and clung to his sleeve.Steven didn't react—he acted like he hadn't even noticed.After the police report, when we got back to campus, Barbara was already waiting at the gate, showering him with gratitude.Steven just nodded, then turned and walked away.I don't know where I found the courage, but I called out, "Wait! Can I have your number?"He paused, but didn't stop. With his back to me, he just waved.Under the empty streetlights, his shadow stretched long across the pavement.Suddenly, I remembered a line from an old poem.I'll walk these mountains alone. No need to see me off.The school had organized a mixer with the police academy.I channeled all the energy I'd reserved for finals into writing my personal profile—polished, impressive, and maybe a bit over the top. It worked; I got selected without a hitch.My eyes swept quickly across the room opposite ours, searching for Steven. No luck.My spirits immediately sank. A few guys came over and asked me to dance, but I turned them down.Couples were already gliding across the dance floor, laughter and music filling the room, while I just drifted off, lost in thought.Then, from the doorway, someone called out, "Steven? Thought you weren't coming tonight!"I shot up from my seat. Sure enough, there was Steven, talking to someone at the entrance."Training just ended, so I had time to sign in," he was saying.The guy he was talking to was Calvert, who grinned and nudged him. "Professor Eddie wants you here to make us look good, and you're just popping in for attendance?"Steven couldn't be bothered to respond. He signed his name and turned to leave.I blurted out, "Steven!"He looked back, surprised, his dark eyes locking on mine.I swallowed my nerves. "Would you dance with me?"Calvert immediately started teasing, "Whoa, look at that—Steven's soulmate, right on cue!"Steven hesitated, then called out my name, a little uncertain. "Elissa Rivers?"I nodded, nearly tripping over my words. "I—I haven't danced at all tonight. Would you maybe…?"He was quiet for a moment before answering, "I don't know how to dance."My heart dropped.I tried to play it cool. "Oh, okay. That's fine."Calvert shot me a sympathetic look.I forced a small smile back.Steven pressed his lips together, then, unexpectedly, said, "But if you'd like, I could buy you a coffee."I felt like I was dreaming, holding that warm latte in my hands.Steven was never very talkative, but tonight he seemed quieter than ever, barely saying a word as we sat together.The dance was winding down. A few people trickled out of the hall, chatting quietly.The school bus waited just outside. The driver stood nearby, taking a smoke break.Steven glanced at me. "How are you getting back?"A pang of disappointment hit me. "The school has us all leaving together. They'll be taking attendance."He just nodded, checked his watch, and said, "I'll head out, then."I don't know why, but I had this sudden sense that once he left, I might never see him again.Before I could think it through, I called after him, "Steven."He turned, brow slightly raised, waiting for me to speak.I fiddled nervously with the hem of my dress, searching for an excuse, any excuse. "They told me I have to bring back a… potential partner from this mixer. Can you help me out?"There was a pause as the words hung between us.Finally, Steven replied, "Maybe I'm being presumptuous, but I think I should tell you: barring the unexpected, I don't intend to date anyone. Ever. I don't plan on getting married or starting a family."I stood there, stunned.I have no idea how long I stayed frozen like that. The bus driver stubbed out his cigarette and called, "Time to board!"Suddenly snapped back to reality, I stammered, "Oh. Okay. Thank you for the coffee. Goodbye."He looked at me, eyes lowered. "Goodbye."I got my heart broken, even though it was just a crush.Barbara dragged me out for drinks, insisting she had some hot guys to introduce to me.Everyone else hit the dance floor while I stayed behind, zoning out. My mind drifted right back to Steven.He once told me he'd never fall in love in this lifetime…Before I knew it, I'd finished two frozen margaritas.Whoever said alcohol could drown your sorrows was a liar. If anything, it made the ache worse.When the night finally wound down, Barbara led me through a shortcut home. I leaned into her, mumbling nonsense right into her ear.Halfway through the alley, I had to squat by a trash can, fighting the urge to throw up. Suddenly, Barbara's shriek split the night behind me.I turned, and without thinking, hurled myself at the man grabbing her."Back off, you jerk! Let her go!"He barely budged. Instead, he shoved me hard, and I crashed to the ground, my faux fur coat falling open to reveal the camisole underneath.He let go of Barbara and started toward me.He grabbed my arm, yanking me up, and with his other hand, roughly tore off my coat."Pretty loyal, huh, sweetheart? Fine. You take her place."I slapped him across the face without thinking.His face twisted in pain—then his hand clamped around my throat.Barbara lunged, clawing at his fingers, screaming, "Help! Somebody help!"Outside the bar, the street was packed with people heading home. Their laughter and voices echoed everywhere.No one could hear what was happening in this alley.My vision started to go black. Stars burst and shimmered, tumbling over each other.Suddenly, the man was yanked away. A fist flashed—fast and brutal. In seconds, the guy was sprawled on the ground, not moving.I slid down the wall, clutching my throat, coughing hard.And then I collapsed into someone's arms—warm, solid.Steven's face appeared above me, his brows furrowed. "Are you alright?"Alcohol really is something. It even lets me see Steven.Maybe I should drink more often; if I can't see him in real life, at least I can see him in my hallucinations.He waited for me to say something. When I just stared at him, he waved his hand in front of my eyes. "Hey—are you still with me?"I caught his wrist, holding on tight.Under the alley's dim light, I saw him raise an eyebrow, questioning.I said, "Barbara, you gave me something trippy, didn't you? How come people in my hallucinations hand me tissues? Isn't that hilarious? Ha! Ha ha ha ha…"Barbara staggered to her feet, bracing herself against the wall and gasping for breath. "Are you out of your damn mind? That is Steven!"