His Perfect Lie, Her Vicious Truth

die

of his phone, his jaw tightening. Bridgett' s n

ed face. For a fleeting second, I saw a battle in his eyes. Bridgett' s

a button, silencing the call. "Continue," he told the photo

a. "Alright then! Mr. Clayton, a little more focus, plea

distant. The phone vibrated again in his pocket, a relentless hum against the

eared. My heart felt heavy, a cold stone

ce flat, devoid of emo

ards me, his eyes wide with

ronson," I said, a chilling calm in my voice. "She

ched, then pulled out his phone, his fingers trembli

mistakable. "They' re saying terrible things, Bronson! About me! They' re calling

in college! I can' t bear it! I can' t live if everyone thinks I' m a monster!" Her voice

s, frantic with worry, darted towards

the elaborate bridal veil from my hair, lettin

r to hear through the phone. "I assure you, I had nothing to do

smile. "You should go, Bronson. I'll come with yo

red, relief flooding his features. "Thank you." He turned and almost ran out of

igital billboard dominating the space. A crowd ha

ccusations. She looked disheveled, her makeup smeared, tears str

someone shouted from the crowd. "T

oice yelled. "His perfect marriage w

! It's not true! I didn't do anything! I

thugs to assault Elodie Ryan! We have the proof!"

of damning screenshots. Text messages between Bridgett and the thugs she' d

ed, his voice cutting through the noise. He pulled Bridgett close,

rself, Mr. Clayton! It's all there! Your 'fragile' Bridgett, orchestrating a

oto of Bronson and Bridgett, arms intertwined, laughing, taken on

or running through him. His eyes

The photo merely confirmed what I already knew. Another

s voice sharp, accusatory. "W

behind this, Bronson! I know it! She's always hated me!" She swa

ed my arm, her nails digging into my skin. "You did

cted force. There was a malicious glint in her eyes,

olent yank, she

my body careening towards a makeshif

ce laced with horror. He caught her

A flicker of indecision, of shame, then his gaze

deafening shatter. I felt a sharp, searing

. "My head... it hurts so much, Bronson! I need you!"

arms, his face grim, and pushed through the stunne

didn't spare me a glance, didn't notice the blood blooming on my forearm, did