Ethan’s POV:
It had been a week since I accused Marsai of risking our lives by going into the forest to pick the veilshade bloom. A week since I saw the pain flash in her eyes after my thoughtless words. I didn’t even know why I said it. It was as if some dark force had compelled me, and the regret had been eating away at me ever since.
I’d tried to apologize, but she wouldn’t give me the chance. She avoided me at every turn—at school, at home, everywhere. Each day followed the same exhausting pattern: driving to school with Navian and Miles, watching her laugh and talk with them like nothing was wrong, only for her to shut down completely the moment I got close. It was infuriating. And worse, it hurt.
Every time she smiled at Navian or Miles, jealousy twisted in my chest. She was so ca
