If it weren't for him, Francis wouldn't have blackmailed me. If he hadn't blackmailed me, I wouldn't have gotten engaged to Vivian. If I hadn't gotten engaged to Vivian, I wouldn't have fallen-
Realization punched me in the chest, so hard and sudden I swore I heard a crack.
Bruised heart, fractured ribs, stolen breath, all in the space of a minute. It was like my body was punishing me for not recognizing the truth earlier when it'd been so damn obvious.