Everleigh’s heart stopped the moment she saw him standing there.

Jace Donovan.

Her Jace.

The boy who once belonged in this house, in this yard, in her life.

And now, he was staring at her like she was a stranger.

Everleigh swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around the old wooden gate. For years, she had dreamed of this moment—of him coming back, of him remembering.

But the look in his eyes told her everything.

He didn’t.

He didn’t remember her.

A sharp, aching pain twisted in her chest, but she forced herself to breathe. This wasn’t the time to break.

Jace tilted his head, frowning slightly. “Do I… know you?”

His voice was deeper than she remembered, rougher around the edges.

Everleigh’s nails dug into her palm.

You did.

You knew me better than anyone.

But instead of saying that, she forced a small smile, tilting her chin up. "No," she said, voice steady. "You don’t."

Jace’s brows knitted together. He looked uncertain, like a part of him knew she was lying—but he didn’t push.

Instead, he glanced back at the house, his jaw tightening. “I used to live here.”

Everleigh’s chest ached. "I know," she said softly.

He turned back to her, watching her with unreadable eyes. “You live here now?”

Everleigh hesitated. The truth sat heavy on the tip of her tongue.

That this wasn’t just any house.

That this was where they had grown up together.

That this was where they had made silly promises under the oak tree.

That she had waited for him.

That she had never forgotten.

But instead, she forced her lips into a smirk. "Why? Thinking of moving back?"

Jace let out a breathy chuckle, shaking his head. "Not a chance."

Of course not.

The boy who had once called this place home was gone.

And the man standing in front of her?

He had no idea who she really was.

Everleigh’s heart clenched, but she made a decision right then and there.

If Jace Donovan wanted to act like a stranger, then fine.

She’d play along.

But if he thought she would let him walk back into her life without paying for what he did?

He was dead wrong.