At the end of the novel, I believe the title stays true to the story, and Rufus is killed. I think what happens is that Victor, speeding towards Althea, desperate to get to Delilah, hits Rufus. “Victor, frantic to get to his presumably dying love, is driving over the speed limit to get to her. All he has on his mind is her and doesn’t seem to notice the boy absently crossing the street with his headphones on. In an instant, he’s hit him and even more, dread fills him. He can’t stand to look at the boy, knowing his fate all too well. But right now, he can’t worry about the kid, either. He has to get to Delilah. Victor then jumps out of his car and run towards the diner where he first met her. Sprinting now, he thinks only if it’s too late already.”
