Flunged forward and grabbed Rick's arm before he could make it halfway to Andrew " Are you insane ? People are watching . You want them to start another scandal ? Go get benita in check instead Let her know once and for all that I want nothing to do with you . " I blinked fast , suddenly remembering his words from last night . I stared at him , confusion mixing with frustration . " And what the hell did you mean last night , Rick ? When you said four years ago ! " He looked at me , brows scrunched . " What are you talking about ? " You said something about me choosing Andrew four years ago . Do you even remember saying that or were you just drunk out of your mind again ? " His face stayed blank , like he had no clue what I was referring to . I scoffed and looked away . " Forget it . Just don't talk to me again . No need to keep pretending to care about me , not when you have your psychotic girlfriend to run back to . Enjoy your peace . " I turned and walked away without giving him a chance to reply . Later , everyone gathered at the main tent where the event coordinator stood holding a clipboard . Her voice rang out over the low hum of conversation . " Today's challenge is a gemstone hunt ," she announced " in pairs or solo , you'll need to find the mock gemstone hidden somewhere in the forest . The first person to find it wins an extra night of comfort back at the resort when we return . " She smiled , adjusting her mic . " There are maps near the starting point . Use them wisely . You'll have three hours before the challenge end .. Bring the gemstone back here before sunset or you'll be disqualified . Now gol " I spotted him before leven grabbed the map Rick . He stood by the supply table , head bent slightly as Benita leaned into him , whispering something with that fake innocent smile plastered across her face . Her hand rested way too comfortably on his arm , and he didn't even shrug it off I couldn't hear what they were saying , but it didn't matter . The sight alone was enough to make something twist in my chest . Of course he would fucking pair with her . Everyone scattered with energy buzzing around the air . I snatched a map and started walking without even bothering to look at who was around me . I didn't want a partner . I didn't want company . I wanted space and silence . Branches snapped under my boots . I climbed over roots and dodged spider webs as I made my way deeper into the woods . My jaw clenched as I walked faster . I couldn't get his face out of my head . That blank look like I didn't matter . Like he didn't remember what he'd said . Maybe he really didn't . Maybe I was the only one replaying everything And Benita . God , how did someone so vile get to live so free ? My fingers curled into fists . Why did i sign up for this again ? Because of some contract ? Some fake marriage to protect image and wealth ?! should have known better . I should have never agreed . I stopped walking and pulled out my phone . If I hadn't agreed to this bullshit , Lena and I would've been curled up on the couch right now 1/3 Chapter 35 with popcorn spilling everywhere and some old animated movie playing too loud in the background She'd be laughing at the screen , her little feet kicking against my legs , asking me why the villain always had the best outfits . I'd be pretending not to cry at the cheesy parts and she'd call me dramatic like always . We probably would've baked cookies , burnt half , eaten the dough raw and called it dinner . My chest ached thinking about it . Thated that I wasn't there . I hated even more that this family , this whole arrangement , had the power to pull me so far away from her . I promised myself it was temporary . I promised her that . I blinked back the guilt and pulled out my phone , tapping her name immediately . I just needed to hear her voice . Lena . I just needed to hear her voice , even if it was for ten seconds . My thumb hovered over the dial as the signal icon blinked . I stared at it . No bars . I lifted the phone higher , tried turning in a circle . Still nothing . I sighed , stuffing it back in my pocket . That sinking feeling in my chest only got heavier . Trees surrounded me on all sides . I looked around , squinting through the thick canopy . Where was as the path ? Or what I thought was the way I came . I stepped over the fallen log , Walked a few feet . But the trail didn't look I turned back the way I came . Or familiar . My stomach dropped . I was lost . I kept walking , pushing past tall grass and ducking under branches . The sun was already sliding down the sky , coloring everything with an orange hue . Shadows stretched long and thin . It was getting darker . " Okay , " I muttered to myself , forcing a deep breath . " You're fine . Just turn around again . You'll find something , a flag or a sound . " I took another step and then suddenly my foot twisted beneath me . I stumbled , arms flailing . My ankle gave out and I hit the ground with a loud grunt . " Shit , " I breathed , reaching down and clutching my ankle . Pain shot through me . I bit down hard on my lip my eyes stung . Great , just fucking great . I stayed on the ground for a second , trying pot to cry and then thunder cracked through the sky as if I weren't already going through hell . I looked up . The clouds were darker now , heavy , ominous . Chapter 35 Of course I sat there , breathing hard , wiping the back of my hand across my forehead . This day just kept getting better And I was still alone in the middle of nowhere , aching , pissed off , and now possibly about to get drenched . " Perfect , " I whispered , hugging my arms around myself as the wind picked up around me and the sky growled louder . AD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. 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