So I lied. "It's not for a while. Weddings are a pain, and we haven't planned anything. Besides, it's been so long. Don't you miss me?"

"Of course, I do!" Mom said, happy. "I'll see you soon."

I hung up, thinking about the past seven years. I couldn't help but call myself an idiot.

If I hadn't seen those thirty-six letters filled with Liam's love for Ashley, I would have thought I won.

On the way to Aspen, I kept telling myself it was a mistake.

After all, he loved me so much that he nearly died, right? How could he betray me?

Then I saw Liam proposing to Ashley Carter, the same Ashley Carter who almost got my whole family killed.

I was a mess. My leg was killing me, and I wasn't paying attention. I slipped and fell down the mountainside.

At the same time, Liam called.

"Lily, I'll be home late tonight. I—"

He stopped, then, urgently, "Lily, what's all that noise? Where are you?"

I lay on the cold snow, clutching my stomach, the pain unbearable.

When I didn't answer, Liam panicked. "Lily, talk to me!"

My voice trembled. "I... I fell down Aspen Mountain."

“Which mountain?"

"Aspen."

Liam was silent.

Finally, he asked, "Lily, why were you on Aspen Mountain?"

I could hear the guilt in his voice.

I laughed, bitterly.

“Five years ago, you promised to propose to me at the top of Aspen Mountain. You’re back now, so I thought I'd get familiar with the place."

"Oh, right."

Liam seemed relieved. "Wait for me, Lily. I'm coming right now."

By the time Liam and Ashley found me, I was already at the emergency clinic down the mountain, thanks to some helpful tourists.

I lay in the hospital bed, watching Ashley hide behind Liam. "Why is she here?"

Was he just done pretending now that he was dumping me?

Liam looked guilty. "We just ran into each other. She heard what happened and wanted to come with me."

I scoffed, pointing out the window in the distance. The cemetery.

“My brother is buried there. How dare she show her face?"

Ashley's eyes welled up. She tugged on Liam's sleeve, whimpering, "Liam."

Liam patted her hand reassuringly, then turned to me, accusingly.

"Lily, Ashley is here to see you, and you’re being a bitch. Is this how your parents raised you? Apologize!"

Ashley sobbed softly. "Lily, I know you hate me for what happened six years ago. I killed your brother and left you with a limp.”

“I’m so sorry. Please, can’t you forgive me? We used to be best friends."

Liam watched Ashley, tears streaming down her face, and almost reached out to wipe them away.

When he saw me, he froze.

Seeing I wasn't going to react, he gestured for me to say something.

"Ha!"

I laughed and looked at Liam.

Even knowing he betrayed me, my eyes stung with tears. "You think I should forgive her?"

Liam sighed. "Ashley made a mistake, but it was just a moment of weakness. It's not entirely her fault."

A moment of weakness?

I felt like such a fool.

Her dad wanted to sell her to some old dude in our town, and I begged my parents to take her in.

My family treated her like a daughter.

If I had something, so did she.

But she stabbed us in the back, helping criminals sell out my brother.

My brother was an undercover cop, gathering evidence against a drug ring.

He was about to wrap things up when his identity was leaked.

Ashley had overheard a phone call between my brother and his boss. She sold that information to the criminals for ten grand.

She wanted the money for plastic surgery.

Because of her, my family was attacked.

My brother was blown to pieces protecting me.

I barely survived, but my right leg was messed up. Even after recovery, I'd always limp.