Chapter12 The Liberal Arts check - in desk at Northbridge University was swamped . Chase Rylan elbowed his way forward , scanning every face- again and again - but Lydia Rivers never appeared . He headed for the dorm they had picked together and asked the hall supervisor , Mrs. Whitmore . Her answer hit like a slap . There was no " Lydia Rivers " on the housing list at all . The unease he had been swallowing surged back , meaner than before . Chase pulled out his phone and tried Lydia's number one more time . The same result - blocked . He dialed her parents next . No connection . "How - how is this possible ... " His voice thinned . Had she really given up on him ? Really left ? He squeezed his eyes shut , forcing himself replay the last weeks . The alley - thirty - three missed calls while she was trapped in the alley , he was busy tending to Sienna Quinn's so - called condition . Crown Arena - she was trampled , and he stood there in the dark because Sienna begged , kissing her in the shadows . At the Rivers Estate - peanut shards in the stew , Lydia collapsing , and he had still let Sienna press him into her parents ' bedroom . Eclipse Lounge - Lydia begged him for help while Brent Doyle and his goons cornered her ; he hung up because of Sienna's father . AN The Merriton River - he swam for Sienna first and left Lydia to drown . One scene after another flickered like a film reel . A bolt of clarity split him clean open . He had been colder , crueler than he had ever let himself admit . But he had reasons . Sienna had returned his grandma's locket tin from the fire . Sienna's so - called craving for touch , something only he could supposedly soothe . Lydia loved him . She was the understanding one . She should have forgiven him ... right ? " Chase , stop spacing out . We still need to check me in . " Sienna tugged on his sleeve . " Maybe Lydia's hiding on purpose . Once we finish and settle my stuff , she'll show . " He frowned , mind still shagged on Lydia . But Sienna wasn't wrong - they couldn't just stand there . Fine . Help Sienna first . Then I'll go find Lydia . She loves me . She won't really ice me out . " Let's go , " he said . The paperwork went quickly . Sienna received a key and led him up to the third floor . He hauled her suitcase behind her . Two roommates were already there . Their eyes widened when they recognized Chase . Sienna beamed . " This is my friend , Chase . He came to help me set up , " Chase managed a polite smile and started unpacking . Shirts on hangers . Books on the shelf . Every movement felt mechanical , hollow . No matter what he did , his mind drifted to Lydia . He remembered helping her pack before - how she would loop her arms around him from behind and chatter about school gossip until he laughed . He remembered them arranging furniture in a tiny rental , her dimples bright as she called it their " little place . " Chapter 12 Dreame - Read Romance Sterl 54.55 % He remembered her excitement after exams , tugging his hand and promising to make their college dorm cozy and perfect - together . " Chase , where should this go ? " Sienna's voice cut through , sugary - sweet . She held up a plush rabbit . He blinked and focused , dazed . He shouldn't have been here . He should have been with Lydia , setting up her room . " Anywhere , " he said , distracted , and went back to folding . But the unease only grew , clawing up his spine . Lydia , where are you ? Are you really ... not coming back ? He couldn't bear to follow the thought to its end . He bent his head over the suitcase and kept moving his hands - while her face burned , indelible , behind his eyes . Chapter12