The sound of incessant beeping and dinging wakes me. With my face pressed into the pillow, I feel around the mattress, trying to find my phone. It could wake the dead, making all that racket. Once I get my hands on the dang thing, I’m going to throw it against the wall and let it shatter into a million pieces.

I start to do just that, but memories of last night come flooding back. My lips curve into a slow smile. Who knew it could be so perfect.

I sit up in bed, quickly noticing I’m alone. “Casper?” I call out, but I’m met with no reply.

Hmm. Maybe he’s downstairs.

Messages and notifications flash on the screen of my phone. I blink a few times in my hazy state. New text messages. Several hundred Facebook notifications. What the…? I open a text from Tess first.

Is this crap online about you being married for real? Because I will hunt you down and murder you if I find out its true and you didn’t tell me.

Oh.

I swallow, feeling my heartrate kick up a notch. How is it already out there? I didn’t post anything. I quickly check my Facebook page.

Apparently, Casper is carrying out my father’s demands to the T.

He changed our status to married.

The entire post is filled with congratulations and well-wishes, along with the occasional awkward remark. The ones from my friends aren’t that bad. Polite, but confused. The comments from Casper’s friends are a little more direct. I skim those out of curiosity.

I set my phone down for a second, inhaling a long, deep breath. This is really happening. And I have no idea how to do damage control.

Bracing myself, I exit Facebook, and check out my other texts. There’s a worried one from Viviana.

Are you okay? Please call me.

The sharp taste of bitterness fills my mouth. She knew. That’s why she was acting so weird the last few days. Because she knew what Dad and Leo were planning. I can’t believe she wouldn’t tell me, that she would choose them over me, and that she allowed this to happen. What is up with this family of backstabbers? I used to want my own tribe, but now I’m not so sure.

The next text in my phone is from—gulp—Ethan.

Just three short words.

How could you?

Oh, man. I toss the phone aside and cover my face with my hands. Despite everything, I feel guilty. Ethan is the last person I want seeing my fake marriage plastered all over social media, believing in its lies. Although it didn’t feel so fake last night…

I slide off the bed. I need to find Casper and find out how he’s handling this. Still naked, I grab the sheet off the bed and throw it around me, taking the steps two at a time. I shout for him, but there’s still no answer. My voice echoes as I continue to call his name.

I check the gleaming kitchen, but it’s empty. Room by room, I check the whole house. But he’s not here. My stomach grumbles. Then, I think—food!

Since no one lives here, that means the fridge isn’t stocked. Casper must’ve left to get us food. Of course. Opening the door to the garage, I peek inside.

The car is still parked there.

If Casper went to a store, wouldn’t he have taken the car?

He wouldn’t have…no.

This can’t be happening. For God’s sake, the man just told me he loves me. And granted, I’m not an expert on sex, but I’m pretty sure last night was in a class of its own. He wouldn’t leave after something like that—would he?

There was something familiar about it though. It reminded me of that time he kissed me on the front porch in front of Leo. That devastating kiss that screamed goodbye.

I slink to the floor, pressing my palms against the cold marble. I try to catch my breath, but it’s coming out in quick spurts. Tears sting at my eyes. This crying thing is becoming a trend lately. One I don’t care for one bit.

I told him about Noah.

About why I don’t do quick hookups.

How could he do this?

Maybe Casper walked to the store, I think, trying to convince myself that this is all a mistake. But deep down, I know it’s not true.

He’s gone. He couldn’t handle it.

If I know anything about Casper, I know he despises things that tie him down. And marriage? That’s the biggest tie-down of all.

He ran.

I know it like I know I need air in my lungs.

Casper ran.

He told me I’d regret him. He said he’d ruin my love. Well, he was right on both counts. I do regret him. And he completely destroyed my love.