“Her lips left mine, but something stayed behind—something I’ll never be able to shake. I’ve kissed a hundred girls and forgotten every one. But her? She’s branded into me.” Summary: Jace doesn’t feel victorious after the kiss—he feels wrecked. In the best way. Ivy didn’t crumble into his arms. She didn’t fall apart. He did. Because her kiss wasn’t forgiveness or a greenlight—it was a truth bomb. A quiet one. And now, for the first time, Jace realizes that if he wants her, truly wants her, it’s not about chasing. It’s about becoming someone worth catching.