Chapter 25

Hazel stumbled into Hugo's arms. She squeezed her eyes shut. The countdown reached its final second. But the ship remained deathly still. The expected explosion never came. Macy stood frozen, her face a mask of disbelief. "How is this possible?" she murmured. Freddy turned slowly. His eyes were fixed on Hazel and Hugo, who were entangled in an embrace. A bitter, self-mocking smile tugged at his lips. "The bomb was a lie. How could I have been so cruel as to put her in danger?" When he'd set the device, he had believed Hazel still loved him. He thought that her feelings for him had only been clouded by Hugo. He had resorted to drastic measures, hoping to force her to face the truth in her heart. But he never imagined she would choose to die with Hugo, rather than leave with him. In that instant, the weight of reality hit him like a blow. Hazel hadn't been lying. Every word she had said was genuine. She didn't love him anymore. All the love she had once had for him had begun w