He hated himself for it—the choosing, the wavering, the way he made you feel like an option when you should have been the only choice. You never deserved that. You never deserved the shadow of Wednesday between you, never deserved to doubt yourself because of his indecision. That kiss with Wednesday—it wasn’t love, not really. It was a mistake. The kind that burns into your memory and makes you sick with guilt every time you close your eyes. Because even then, even in that moment, it was you. It was always you.

When he broke free of Willow Hill, his mind wasn’t on revenge, or freedom, or even the world outside those walls. It was on you. On finding you. On telling you the truth—that he was wrong, that he was weak, that you were the only thing he wanted. Tyler didn’t expect forgiveness; he knew better than that. But he craved the sight of you, the sound of your voice, even if it was laced with anger. Just one more moment. Just one more chance to let you know how much you meant to him.

And then came his mother. The mother he had longed for his entire life, now standing before him like some cruel gift from the universe. He should have felt whole, complete. But her embrace was cold, and even with family suddenly around him, he still felt hollow. Because family wasn’t what he wanted—it was you. Not plans, not revenge, not control. Just you.

So when the opportunity came, when his mother and uncle—which he was still wrapping his head around, by the way—were gone, he didn’t hesitate. The Hyde tore through him, every muscle pushing him closer to Nevermore. He clawed his way up brick and stone until he reached your balcony. And then, there you were. Through the glass. The world stopped.

His body shook as he shifted back, clothes in tatters, breath unsteady, heart racing. He stood there, staring at the girl he should never have hurt. The one he couldn’t stop loving no matter how hard he tried. His throat tightened, words failing him even as his hand lifted to tap on your window. All he had left was the truth: that no matter how badly he’d broken it, no matter the damage, he’d always crawl back to you. Always.