Chapter 62. The Saddest Part

TESSA

The white ceiling of the clinic wasn’t much help to my racing thoughts. It was too plain, leaving my mind at the mercy of the unwanted memories I wanted to forget. Somewhere in the background, the soft tapping of the nurse’s footsteps echoed as she moved between the beds, her shoes clicking against the sterile tiles.

I knew it should have felt comforting to have someone nearby, yet all I craved in that moment was silence.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the noise of my mind to quiet.

Why was I still feeling this way?

I came to Elite fully aware that there was no chance left for me. That door had closed long before I ever considered applying. I had made my peace with it—or so I thought.

And yet, here I was, lying on a damn clinic bed, my chest tightening because the man I liked wouldn’t even bother to glance my way.

It wasn’t Arden’s fault. I knew that deep down.

She hadn’t done anything wrong. In fact, she had done everything ri