Thirteen Years Of His Lies

echoed in my ears, sealing my fate, extinguishing the last embers of a dy

e felt brittle, about to crack. "Excuse me," I murmured, my voice barely audible above the st

ring to. Each step was an agonizing effort, but I pushed forwa

, grabbing my arm, his touch now unwelcome, repulsive. "Averi, please. Let me explain. You

and steady. "You said it, Brandon.

No! I was just trying to protect Kendal. She

ste in my mouth. "Or manipulative. Yo

please. Don' t do this. I love you. You know I do. Th

his own making. But I couldn't save him. I could only save myself. His words, his excuse

ce tear-streaked, her bandaged ankle making her seem e

"Oh, Brandon, I' m so scared! Lucas was so mean! Please, take me home. I don'

jaw tightened. He looked torn, but I alr

pause. My heart, though numb, registered the

pulled up beside us.

pened the car door and slid inside, leaving Brandon and Kendal standing in

bag, filled with essentials. The rest of my belongings, the years of accumulated memories, I arran

e times, voicemails filled with desperate pleas and half-hearted apologies for his words at the party. I didn

as him. I opened the door. Brandon stood there, his face etch

narled, his voice low and dan

confused. "What ar

ng into fists. "Her parents! You bought them of

randon, I have no idea wh

, her tears flowing freely. "She' s lying, Brandon! She' s always been jealous of me! She told my parents

unadulterated fabrication. "Kendal, you know that' s

and accusing. "Don' t lie, Averi! Kendal told me everything!

polished wooden floor. My head hit the edge of the coffee table with a sickening thud. A sh

ened. A flicker of genuine concern. But then, Kendal' s sniffles, her exaggerated gasps

eri," he demanded, his v

a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "Apologize

ice rising, a vein throbbing in his templ

avering. "Then don' t," I stated, my voice clear and firm. "Don' t ever forgive me. Becaus

sbelief. "Fine," he snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

him, and stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door

of the past five years. My phone buzzed again. This time, it was an itinerary. A detailed schedule for my weddi

, wiped the blood from my temple with the back of my hand, and walked out of the apartment, loc

stallized in my mind: He won't be there. He won't

ening to their carefully rehearsed story of Averi's "manipulation" and "bribes." He had forced them to sign a document promising to cut ties with K

his old military chat g

u guys

big

tries CEO is fina

lways knew he' d

l CEO. Old money, formidable influence. He respected Diego, even if the

porate Law Prodigy Averi

a cold, sickening lurch. His eyes fixated on the names, the words blurring and sharpe