Page 145 of Never Started
I sit there for a moment, watching as he disappears and reminiscing on all our shared memories, the hopes I had for my friend, and then, ultimately, his betrayal. The pain it causes in my chest physically hurts.
I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to move past his betrayal. I trusted him. I did all I could for him. Still, he turned on me when shit got hard, and because of that, Izzy’s life was put in danger. Hell, an innocent life was lost in order to save hers.
Mark was like a brother to me. I would have done anything for him. Now, after being part of the problem, he’s right.
He just saved all of our lives.
In a way, he redeemed a small part of himself. Now, it’s my turn.
Chapter seventy-seven
Izzy
March 2026
Being back home feelsunsettling.It doesn’t feel like home.
Nowhere does.
I understand Via on a different level now. I always knew the loss of someone you cherish was hard, but I never fully connected with that. Not like I do now. I’d give anything not to know this feeling.
My home, where I once found comfort, now feels like a prison. I’ve only been back for about a week, but I can’t stand it.
The drive down to the island to Via and Ander’s home is longer than I remember, but I embrace the silence. I find myself craving it, even. Yet, I don’t want to be alone.
Via greets me with open arms. She looks so… pregnant. It’s really cute on her. She’s all belly. Thoughts of my baby and what could have been quickly consume me, but I push them down.
Focus on the now, Izabel.
It’s the reminder I’ve been giving myself lately. I find myself getting so caught up in what isn’t that I forgetwhat actually is.
Via and I exchange pleasantries and mindless small talk. Something about her isoff. Via is always soft, even with me, but right now, she seems on edge.
“What’s on your mind, V?” I ask.
With a huff, she responds, averting her eyes. “On a scale of one to ten, how open are you to the truth?”
“I’m not sure I’m following...”
A moment of tense silence passes between us, then Via releases a sigh of annoyance and continues, “They’re selling the ranch.”
“What?! What do you mean?” Maybe it shouldn’t, but I can’t stop my heart from sinking. “They can’t sell the ranch. Is… Is it because of Tony?”
“No, Tony has backed off. I’m not sure of all the details there, but I do know it’s the only way. Jett did all he could to keep everyone safe, but unfortunately, that included draining the ranch dry. It’s in trouble, and things don’t look good.”
My head is spinning.
Via and Anders' place has always been here on the island. The ranch, well, that wasourspot.
Ours.
Mine and Jett’s.
I’m quickly flooded with memories of us over the years, and my stubborn heart yearns for him.
Just when I felt like I would get the ‘happily ever after’ that I never thought I wanted, it was ripped away from me.
“There has to be another way,” I interject, my mind reeling.
