Book Four: Chapter 143

“How about running into your dead ex who gave away a part of her soul to protect you, only to ruin your life?” Yuki slumped further in her chair, the weight of the words pressing on her shoulders. She twirled a strand of her dark hair between her fingers, her eyes distant, tracing invisible patterns on the floor. “On the one hand, I’m glad to know that it wasn’t something I did. But on the other hand… she royally fucked everything up, and she did so in my name. Everything that happened was because of me.” Her voice cracked slightly at the last words, betraying a vulnerability she rarely allowed herself to show.

Mike scooted closer, his knees brushing hers as he took her hand in his, a gentle grounding presence. “No, absolutely not true,” he said firmly, squeezing her hand reassuringly. “My mom used to get blackout drunk all the damn time and blame me for the dumbest things as a kid. How she treated me—that’s why we kept get