He flinched . Panic and regret flickered in his eyes . Then he dropped to his knees . Roses hit the floor like confetti . " I messed up … I really messed up … " His voice cracked , eyes red , like he actually meant it . In my last life , this might've worked on me . Same routine - tears in court , begging for mercy , then partying with Nancy the second I turned my back . Simon must've seen it in my eyes , how over it I was . His fake remorse only got more desperate . Still kneeling , he grabbed my pant leg , voice cracking . " Heidi , remember when we met ? You were helping that kid in the library . The sun was behind you , and I was watching from the shelves … my heart felt like it was gonna explode . I confessed that day . " I didn't say anything , but yeah - those memories came rushing in . He was broke back then . Worked three jobs just to buy me a birthday gift . You had a 102 fever once . I stayed with you three straight days . " Tears hit the marble . " They said it could turn into pneumonia . I was in the hall , on my knees , praying to anything that would listen … " My fingertips twitched . That night , he really had stayed . Half - dead from exhaustion but refusing to leave . Chapter 7 " I know I deserve everything coming . I lost my mind . " Then he bowed , forehead pressed to the top of my foot , tears soaking my slipper . " For all the years we had … let me fix this … " The warmth felt familiar - like the way he used to press his face to my hand when I cried . ப