Chapter 24
Nate
A week had passed since Sam's birthday. She was back at school, but she was avoiding me. Had she even read my card? I had not lied when I wrote that every day without her was like the end of the world. I’d never known it was possible to feel such pain. Abby had tried to talk to Sam several times, but Sam had completely shut down. She looked pale. Paler than before. I was worried. I was at my wit's end. What could I do to make her listen to me, make her forgive me? Even Kent had stopped telling me that she just needed time. My Mouse was determined to make us both suffer. If only I could turn back time, I never would have gone through with the damn engagement. Dad had made good on his threats. He hadn't done anything to hurt Sam's dad as far as I knew, but he’d cut Mom and
