Chapteru Never coming back . The words echoed in Chase Rylan's skull like a death sentence . His whole body went cold , blood turning to ice . He fumbled out his phone , fingers shaking so badly he could hardly swipe through his contacts . Finally , he found her name - Lydia- and hit call . A flat , mechanical voice answered . " The number you dialed is unavailable . " Once . Twice . Ten times . Always the same . He switched to WhatsApp . A gray checkmark mocked him from her profile . Snapchat - blocked . Text messages - blocked . Every single door slammed shut . " No ... impossible ... " His voice broke into a whisper , his eyes glassy , like a man hollowed out . " She wouldn't ... " She wouldn't really leave . Not Lydia . Hadn't she once torn up her overseas ticket and fought her own parents just to stay by his side ? Hadn't she sworn she would never abandon him ? How could she vanish now - without a word ? " Chase ? What's wrong ? " Sienna Quinn's voice cut in . She had slipped from the car and was tugging lightly at his arm , her face lined with false concern . " Is Lydia still mad ? Maybe she's just hiding from you on purpose . " Chase turned to her with desperate eyes , clinging to any shred of hope . " She and her family ... they moved to the UK . They left two days ago . " Sienna widened her eyes in feigned shock , then smoothed her features into calm composure - her lips twitching with a secret satisfaction " Immigrated ? Just like that ? No ... I think she's playing hard to get . " " Hard to get ? " he echoed , hollow . " Of course . " Sienna's tone grew confident , almost soothing . " She's too wrapped up in you to really leave . Think about it - she threw tantrums over me before , didn't she ? This time , she's just trying something bigger . Trying to scare you into giving in . " Chase's expression flickered . " Besides , " Sienna pressed on , lowering her voice as if sharing a certainty , " the three of us applied to Northbridge University together , remember ? Today's orientation day . Do you really think Lydia would throw that away ? No chance . She's probably hiding somewhere on campus , waiting for you to come find her . " Her voice softened further , coaxing " So don't panic . We'll go to campus now . When you see her , don't rush to forgive her . Freeze her out a little . Let her learn what happens when she tries to toy with you . She'll be begging you to apologize in no time , " Bit by bit , the storm in Chase's chest began to settle . Yes . They'd made that promise together - to start college side by side . Lydia valued that vow too much to simply break it . She had to be angry , that was all . Testing him . Chester1 His jaw tightened . A cold light returned to his eyes . Fine . When I see her , I'll keep my distance . Let her taste how it feels to be ignored . " Let's go , " he said , shoving his phone away . His legs were unsteady , but his stride no longer wavered . Behind him , Sienna's lips curved into a victorious smile as she hurried after him . The car shot down the road , carrying them to Northbridge University . On the first day of orientation , campus buzzed with life . Freshmen dragged suitcases across the quad , parents called instructions , student volunteers waved clipboards and banners . The air throbbed with excitement , nerves , and new beginnings . Chase stepped out , his eyes sweeping the crowd with fevered urgency . Somewhere among these faces - he was sure - Lydia had to be here . He tightened his grip on Sienna's hand and strode straight toward the Liberal Arts registration area , where Lydia was supposed to check in . 50.00 %