(Jasper's POV)
I drive through the streets of Avalon like a man possessed, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles go white. The city blurs past me—familiar buildings, streets I've traveled a thousand times—but nothing looks the same anymore.
Everything feels hollow. Empty.
Like me.
I thought I knew what loneliness was. Growing up in that orphanage, watching other kids get adopted while I stayed behind. Working my way through college with no family to cheer me on.
I thought I didn’t need anyone to share my success with me. That I could handle anything life threw at me as long as I had the means, the power and influence to stand on my own.
I thought wrong.
I was wrong.
I pull over at a red light, my chest heaving like I've been running for miles. A couple crosses t
