Maxon's POV

America took a step away from the guard and he turned to me. Officer Ledger looked me in the eye with his mouth open, as if anything he could say would take this back.

I knew it. I remembered the look on his face when he saw America and I together the first day he arrived at the palace. I had attributed the jealousy in his eyes to the beautiful girl holding my hand. But as we watched the movie, she had been so quiet. Every time I looked at her, it was as if she wasn't even in the room. I thought back to the button America had worn on her wrist for so long. Immediately, I had recognized it as a guard's button, they were very distinctive. But America was so quirky, I thought she had found it, associating it with all of the time we had spent together at the palace. No, when she looked at it, she had been thinking of him. And then there was the note on his wall, what did it say? "I'll wait for you forever. I'm with you, no matter what." Covered by hearts. I wanted to vomit. I took a breath, not wanting the rage to envelop me.

"I found Kriss in the hall and was coming to explain my choice to you both before the cameras showed up, but it seems we have other things to discuss," I spat the last few words, hatred in my tone. "Kriss, would you please return to your room? Quietly?" My exasperation was clear, and she curtsied quickly before almost sprinting down the hall.

Taking a deep breath, my eyes finally settled on the girl in front of me. The one who had stolen my heart so quickly, who had broken it over and over. The one who had lost my trust but who I never managed to erase from my heart.

"I knew it," I said. "I told myself I was crazy, because surely you would have told me if I was right. You were supposed to be honest with me." Her honesty had been what drew me to her, the girl willing to yell at the prince in the garden. I rolled my eyes at my own stupidity. "I cannot believe I didn't trust myself. From that first meeting, I knew it. The way you looked at him, how distracted you were. That damn bracelet you wore, the note on the wall, all those times when I thought I had you and then suddenly lost you again . . . it was you," I growled, facing the guard.

"Your Majesty, this is my fault," he said. "I pursued her. She made it perfectly clear that she had no intentions of being in a relationship with anyone but you, but I went after her anyway."

I walked up to him, clenching my fists. I was shaking with anger and betrayal. It was all I could do to hold myself back, but I couldn't allow myself to turn into my father."What's your name? Your first name?"

He swallowed. "Aspen."

"Aspen Leger," I repeated. I thought of how the words would say coming from her mouth. How it would sound if she whispered them, as she had whispered my name last night. At least I could make this man's life a living hell. "Get out of my sight before I send you to New Asia to die."

He gasped, "Your Majesty, I—"

"GO!" I yelled. He had ruined my life, and I couldn't bear to hear another word come out of his mouth.

America was looking at the floor, shame written all over her expression, her long eyelashes moist with tears that had yet to fall. So beautiful… no, I scolded myself. I can't live like this. I am finally getting off this rollercoaster and nothing she could say will change that.

When she looked up I nodded towards her room. I couldn't yet trust myself to say a single word and still keep my resolve to end this.

I laughed when I saw the unmade bed and thought of how quickly my life had changed in a matter of minutes. I took a deep breath, steadying myself before looking at her.

"How long?" I said, almost in a whisper

"Do you remember that fight—"

I erupted. "We've been fighting since the day we met, America! You'll have to be more specific!"

"After Kriss's party."

That long. My heart was beating so fast, I was hoping it would just stop completely. "So basically since he got here."

"Maxon, I'm so sorry. At first I was protecting him, and then I was protecting myself. And after Marlee was caned, I was afraid to tell you the truth. I couldn't lose you," she pleaded.

"Lose me? Lose me?" I almost laughed. She had been sneaking around with this guy for months, and now she was acting like she cared about me? "You're going home with a small fortune, a new caste, and a man who is still pursuing you!" My heart was breaking, I kept swinging between wanting to throw something and wanting to crumple of the floor and cry. The steadiness I had managed to keep in my voice broke a little. "I'm the one losing here today, America."

She looked shocked and stammered, "I'm going home?"

I did a double take. Isn't that what she wanted? "How many times am I supposed to let you break my heart, America? Do you think I'd honestly marry you, make you my princess, when you've been lying to me for most of our relationship? I refuse to torture myself for the rest of my life." I thought of how I had let my guard down with her, shown her the darkness in my life, written her those God-awful love letters. That is what this was, torture. Nothing my father had ever done to me had been so cruel. "You might have noticed, I get plenty of that already."

She started crying. "Maxon, please. I'm sorry; it's not what it looked like. I swear. I love you!"

That was it. I moved towards her, inches from her face. I felt hollow, like the purpose in my life had suddenly been torn away. "Of all the lies you've told me, that's the one I resent the most."

"It's not—"

I glared at her and she stopped. I took one last look at her. I felt like I could fall through the floor. Her tearstained cheeks reminded me of the first night we had met, and the hope in that meeting made me feel like screaming. "Have your maids do their best. You should go out in style."

I walked out the room and slammed the door, leaving my heart behind.

I maintained my composure until I turned the corner, away from her room, where I slammed my hands into the wall. A sob escaped and I quickly straightened up. I looked around, but no one had seen. I couldn't allow anyone to see their future king in the throes of heartbreak. I stood there for a second, regaining some composure, before walking deliberately towards my room. I saw the back staircase which led to the garden, and suddenly changed course. It was as if I couldn't stop my feet from going where they wished.

Nodding to the guards guarding the doors, I walked outside. The cool, morning air hit my face. I almost collapsed in pain as I thought of how much I wished America was here with me. I risked a glance towards her balcony, but she thankfully wasn't there. I stumbled deeper into the garden, tears filling my eyes. When I finally reached a point I knew no one could see or hear me, I retched, sick to my stomach. How had this happened? How could I be so stupid? Thoughts swirled in my head as I collapsed in sobs. The love of my life had betrayed me. I had nothing left.

What had she said? That first day we met... "Maxon, I hope you find someone you can't live without. I really do. And I hope you never have to know what it's like to have to try and live without them." I broke down again. I knew.

Today I was supposed to announce my engagement, the ring containing America's birthstone entwined with my own lay under my pillow. America. The thought of her name sparked a new round of sobs. How would I face her today? Could I still propose to Kriss? I felt so hollow, I knew there was no place in my empty heart for Kriss. I allowed myself to wallow for a few more minutes in the misery of my life before I punched the soil.

I pushed away the despair, making room for the anger building within. America had betrayed me. She had chosen Aspen, not me. She had lied. Last night, as I lay sleeping in her bed, she had been thinking of meeting him in the morning. Yes, this was much easier to deal with. I allowed myself to be filled with anger.

I stood up and brushed myself off. I am the prince of Illea. They may have thought they were pulling something over on me, maybe they had planned to allow it to continue even after the proposal. I spat on the floor as the image of the two of them pressed together reentered my mind. I could marry Kriss, it was my duty to show the people I could lead, and I would start by making her my wife. I didn't need to love her, I didn't care. I would never allow myself to make that mistake again.

Marching into the palace, I could feel the determination growing. If I could get through today, I could throw myself into my work, become the best king Illea could hope for.

When I got to my room, I rang for my butler. "Justin, I need a ring," I explained when he arrived. He look confused, and I know he was thinking of the magnificent purple and green ring he had helped me design weeks ago. I ignored his confusion, continuing, "whatever you can find in a pinch will be fine." And I waved, dismissing him.

I tried to stay strong for the next few hours. Every time America crossed my mind, my heart dropped, but I quickly erased the thought. I buried myself in work until I looked at the clock and realized it was almost time for the ceremony to begin. My heart began to race and I felt like I was going to be sick again. I pulled myself together and walked downstairs to the great room.