A Twisted Love: Betrayal's Bitter Taste

e Ols

was brief, just three wor

, never had. It was a stark contrast to Heath's carefully const

dhood nemesis. The brat who used to pull my pigtails and sabotage my science fair pr

ed, a dull throb in my head from hitting the counter, a deeper, phantom pain in my womb fro

nightmares. Figures shrouded in shadow, whispers of betrayal, the metallic tang of

room was still dark, the gray light of dawn barely pierci

afford. I wiped them away roughly, my jaw clenching. My reflection in the bedside mirror showed a pale, hollow-eyed woma

elty, a canvas of purple and yellow bruises, a testament to his 'justice.' I dressed carefully, choosing long sleeves and hi

ing air bit at my skin as I stepped outside. The world was still

estled amidst rolling hills. The final resting pl

ow quickly everything could unravel. I found hers, a simple granite slab. Mary O

the base of the stone. Her favorite. They repr

llowed myself to speak her name aloud in months without Heath's pres

tening to consume me. But I pushed it

strength, steeling itself. "I will get justice. I will c

within them. Heath. Ember. They would

disturbed the cemetery's tranquility. I didn't need to turn around to know who

hind me. Ember Huff. Of course. She always

shoulders squared. I took a deep breath, ste

flat, devoid of emotion. I didn't turn around. I cou

d, her voice dripping with fake sympathy.

a fist. She was the

aping my lips before I could stop t

darling, don't be so rude. Heath

cutting through the haze of grief and anger. He was

few feet behind her, his face a mask of carefully controlled concern. He was pl

per, yet laced with a palpable disgust. "You

g out as if to touch me. "Blaire, please

of gaudy red roses in her hand. She attempted to place t

These hands, these manipulative hands, had destroyed my

I hissed, my voice

ocence, hesitated.

her grasp. They scattered across the damp earth, their crimson

tly, pulling her behind him, his arm protectively around h

h demanded, his voice sharp with anger

aping my lips. "You want to talk about disresp

talking to her, telling her everything. She loved you, Heath. She bel

ng in his cheek. He couldn't meet

r voice suddenly firm, losing its saccharine edge. "You'

ing into a sneer. "You think I'm unwell? You, the arc

hers. "Don't you ever, ever speak my mother's nam

lculating, now held a spark of genuine malice. "And you, Blaire, are a p

ipe that smug look off her face. But a diffe

mber," I commanded, m

d, confuse

ghtly, the authority in it surprising even myself. "Right he

fear finally appearing in them. "Yo

l," I counte

ful of her perfectly styled hair, yan

em. But Heath, for once, was frozen, caught betw

Heath finally yel

forcing her down onto her knees. She cried out, a sharp, p

oice a chilling promise. "Beg for h

ut she was no match for my raw, visceral strength

mpered, her voice barely audibl

with fury. He ripped my hand from Ember's h

h you?" he roared, his eyes blazing

aze still fixed on Ember, who was now s

ed, my voice flat, devoid of

g her from my gaze. "You need help, Blair

You gaslighted me, Heath. You cheated on me. You destroyed my

r to yourself and others, Blaire.

oice softening. "Ember, I

a triumphant glance at me over his shoulder.

?" I asked Heath, my voice a hollow echo in the

r tighter, his gaze fixed on me, a mi

my features. "Then I'll just have to m

mother's grave, away from the two people who ha

, his voice a desperate plea. "

g, my stride firm, my purpose clear. Regret?

cemetery gates. As I approached, the driver, a large, imposing

ng amidst the desolation of broken dreams and shattered lives. My final g

e mirror. "Destination, ma'am?

e firm, my eyes fixed on the h