CATRIONA
I told Jayden to stop the car, and without hesitation, he did. I unbuckled my seatbelt and hurried out, sprinting toward the edge of the woods. When I reached the tree line, my legs gave way, and I sank to my knees, overwhelmed by a wave of helplessness and dread. What if Gabriel lost his life because of me?
Jayden’s proposal had seemed like a blessing—a chance at something new, something normal. I’d never been on a proper date before, and for a moment, I’d wanted to embrace that. But now, all I wanted was to have stayed home with my brother, safe and sound.
“Are you alright, baby?” Jayden’s voice cut through my turmoil as he stepped closer.
I clenched my stomach, nausea twisting inside me, but no matter how hard I tried, nothing came up. Was it fear? Worry? I wasn’t sure.
“
