His Perfect Lie, Her Vicious Truth

die

lass clinking, and muffled shouts from downstairs. My ey

the side of the bed. This wasn'

Boxes, luggage, and gaudy decor were being hauled in by a team of movers. And in

around her shoulders, her movements sharp and imperious. Her ey

ridgett, then at the piles of boxes, a silent apology in his hurried explanation. "Mrs. Cl

y voice quiet but firm. "That will be all for now. You can leave the rest." Th

ck sweetness. "Still wandering around this house like a ghost, I see. Have you forgotten where your room is?

d her, my expression unreadable. I wouldn

harpened as she saw my unwavering gaze. She was used to my co

a table I had carefully chosen. With a deliberate, sweeping motion, she kn

a small, insignificant thing, but a symbol of what I t

fixed on her.

a reaction, a confirmation of her power. She r

life, blazing with a stark, grainy image. It was a

d fractured. My heart slammed against my ribs,

naive, being pushed, shoved, humiliated. The terror on my face was unmistakable. I heard the jeers, the taunts

iting into my palms. My breath hitched, a s

the front door. She was expecting an audi

ed your place? The night you realized Bronson would always choose me?" She leaned in, her voice dropping to a v

d by a surge of pure, unadulterated rage. I moved before

y hand connecting with her shoulde

escaping her lips, then she crumpled to t

his face etched with shock. He dropped the cas

azing as he looked at me. "Elodie, what di

me, Bronson! She pushed me! She's always been so jealous,

ding his features. "Elodie," he said, his voi

finger, at the screen behind him. At the horrifying loop

reen, then widened, his jaw clenching. The color drain

a sickening realization. He pulled away from Bridgett, j

cheek. It was cold, cutting. Not for him, no

hand hovering, uncer

. The idea of his hands, which had so gently wiped a

rned. His face crumpled, a pang

with a mixture of anger and disbelief.

w it, Bronson! Just now! It was so awful! My head started hurting, and then..

o pull him back, to reaffirm his

ulled her close, murmuring soothing words, stroking her hair. The familiar gesture

irony was a bitter taste in my mouth. He was comforting the tormen

sliced through me, colder than an

dn't move. She smirked, a quick, triumphant flash in her tear-fill

ly thought she had won this bat

iance hardening my expression. I wou

gaze traveled over his bent head. He do

otsteps silent,

d, his eyes shadowed. "Elodie," he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "I' m so sorry. About the vid

rotect Bridgett. You know her father and mine. The debt. It

y family depended on me. Her family depended on me." His voice dropped. "I tr

' re right," I said, my voice soft, calm. "It is an excuse. And

g, Elodie. Anything at all. J

story," I stated, my voice clear and unwavering. "Every