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  “I was just trying to get your attention. You’re the one I want, you know that.”

  “Were you trying to make me jealous so that I’d throw myself at you?”

  “I just want you to want me.”

  “Well, you’re scheme backfired. I can’t be with someone who only wants one thing.”

  “That’s not true, Kate. I love you.”

  “If you loved me, you’d wait.” I threw my engagement ring at him. “We’re over!” I yelled, and ran off.

  “I’ll go after her,” I heard Seb say. “I think it’s best if you stay away from her tonight.” And then he ran after me.

  Part of me felt terrible, but I guess Jack would’ve been unfaithful soon enough if I’d kept denying him. This time, he’d been lured easily, and Ashley could have him.

  Seb and I headed to the beach house. With Marcus away for the weekend, we were alone. Seb closed the door behind us, and we sighed with relief. My relationship with Jack was officially over.

  “Are you okay?” Seb asked.

  “Apart from feeling terribly guilty, yes, I’m fine.”

  “Don’t waste time feeling guilty over the inevitable.”

  I knew Seb was right. He took my hand and led me to his bedroom. There were red rose petals on the bed and unlit candles spread around the room. Seb turned out the lights, and with a gust of breath, he lit all the candles. I looked at him in amazement.

  “How did you do that?”

  “I’ll explain another time. It’s kind of a long story.”

  Seb handed me a glass of champagne. We drank some and put down our glasses, unable to take our eyes off each other. Seb took me in his arms and I unbuttoned his shirt. I wanted him so badly and he wanted me. We were so deeply in love that I’d surrendered my human life to be with him.

  Seb pulled my dress over my head, threw it on the floor, and ran his hands over my naked body. His touch lingered on my skin and sent chills through me. He pulled me closer and as my breasts pressed against his bare chest, he kissed me, and I was ready to give myself to him. When we fell onto the bed, the door flew open and Jack and Ashley stumbled in. I grabbed a sheet off the bed and wrapped it around me. Seb got up and stood in front of me; Jack was completely stunned.

  “Oops! Wrong bedroom, I guess,” Ashley said, giggling.

  ‘Ashley, you should go back to the party,’ Jack said.

  “Why? We were going to fool around, right?” Ashley asked, looking disappointed.

  “Not tonight,” Jack said, through gritted teeth.

  “That’s it Jack Jones, you’ve had your last chance with me. I’ve had enough of being messed around by you!” Ashley shouted, before slamming the door behind her.

  Jack was furious, and I didn’t know what to say.

  “How could you do this to me? My own brother jumping in bed with my fiancée as soon as my back is turned! So this is why you refused to have sex with me, Kate? Because of him? You want him to be your first? I feel like a complete fool!”

  “What are you talking about? You just brought Ashley back here to sleep with!” Seb yelled.

  “Ashley means nothing. Kate means everything to me. You could have your pick of girls, but why her?” Jack glared at his brother.

  “Because I’m in love with her; I have been for months.”

  “Has this been going on for months?” Jack raised his voice.

  “No. Just tonight,” Seb said, trying to keep calm.

  “Kate, this is a mistake. We’re meant to be together,” Jack said.

  “I felt something for you once, because of the curse. What I feel for Seb is real. I’m so sorry Jack, but I don’t love you. I’m in love with Seb.”

  “You’re in love with him?” Jack asked.

  “Jack, I’m truly sorry for hurting you,” I said.

  Jack looked at me, his eyes begging me to take back what I’d said, but it was too late. The truth was out and it was time for us to accept the consequences. Jack walked out, slamming the door behind him. Seb tried to follow him, but I grabbed his arm. Jack needed time to cool off.

  I felt terrible and Seb did too. His face was wracked with guilt, but there was nothing we could do but wait to see if time would heal this rift.

  Instead of spending the night making love, Seb and I left the beach house and entered my bedroom through the balcony. We sat up all night talking about how we would explain our behavior to everyone. In the morning, I’d have to tell my mother that she’d have to cancel the engagement party.

  The next morning, we dared to head back to Seb’s house. He had offered to straighten up the lab for Marcus and I tagged along, ready to help out. I shuddered; the lab was creepy and I hoped that after today, I’d never have to go in there again.

  Seb reached up to the top shelf in the cabinet, but lost his balance, causing a cascade of bottles and boxes to fall. One of the lids on the boxes fell off and a flurry of letters flew out.

  Seb and I each picked up a letter. They were all addressed to Jonathan in the same handwriting. Dates were written on the backs of all the letters, and we found a letter written to him just a week before he died. Seb took the letter out of the envelope. His lips parted and his eyes widened.

  “What does it say?” I asked.

  “Jack was right.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “She’s alive!”

  “Who’s alive?” I questioned.

  “Alissa. My mother’s alive!”

  I gasped. Seb handed me the letter and buried his head in his hands.

  Jonathan,

  Willow and I are settled; you’ve found us a treasure of a place to live this time. Amador City is so peaceful, and we love it. The house by the stream is secluded, and Willow will be happy here. I hope to receive a letter from you soon, and thank you for keeping us safe.

  Alissa

  Jack’s instinct had been right all along, but who was Willow?

  “We have to tell Marcus about this,” I said.

  Seb stood up. “No, we’re not going to tell him anything yet. We need to tell Jack first, and then we need to find Alissa to be sure it’s her before we go telling anyone.”

  “What if she doesn’t know that Jonathan is dead?” I asked.

  “That’s why we have to find her. We have to tell her in person.”

  Seb placed the letter in his back pocket. We picked up the rest of the letters and put them back in the box before hiding it in Seb’s bedroom.

  We headed to the kitchen. Even though Jack hated us right now, we had to find him; he’d want to know that his mother was alive. There was a letter on the kitchen table with Seb’s name on the envelope. Seb tore it open and read it aloud:

  Seb,

  Never in a million years did I think you’d betray me. You were the good guy. I was the one everyone said was trouble. I was the one to watch out for. Looks like you’ve finally gotten your revenge, but I’ll have mine.

  Jack

  The letter was full of bitterness and we both knew that Jack meant every word. But now that we knew that Alissa was alive, we couldn’t let Jack leave; we had to tell him that he was right. Seb and I got on his bike and headed for the airport. Seb rode far too fast, but I didn’t worry, knowing that I was invincible.

  As I held onto him, feeling the soft leather of his jacket against my face, I thought about Jack’s letter and became worried. He wanted revenge and something was telling me that he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted.

  Me.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18 />
  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33