His Perfect Lie, Her Vicious Truth

die

shing through the remaining crowd. "What happened here?" one asked, his e

st the security guards, her eyes immediately finding me. "Are you hurt? What the hell happene

Bridgett. "He just left you here? Just walked away while you were bleeding?!" Her voice was la

f Bronson's charity galas, started to gather around, their expressio

urmured, her voice filled with sympathy. "

lean handkerchief. "This isn't right. We need to do something. We can expose hi

alone, isolated by Bronson' s subtle manipulations and my own shame. Now

in my eyes. Not here. Not

les. No more public outrage." I looked at Ava, my gaze stea

? After everything you've put up with?" Her voice was laced with bewildered conce

asked, stepping closer. "What

ide him, leaning heavily on him. He looked furiou

voice tight. "Are you inciting a riot now

ot back, stepping in front of me protectively.

ention," Bronson said, his voice cold. He looked at me. "

anding, Bronson." I looked at Ava. "My friends are simply concern

die? You want to play the victim? You want an apology for your little fa

th." I looked at Bronson, then at the lingering crowd. "Perhaps we sh

ashen. Her lips trembled, and she insti

ace for such discussions. Elodie, I expect you to be more rational than this." He looked at Bridgett, th

steady. "But I'm also not going to stand here and

out, his hand instinctively grippi

my lips, a jolt of pa

odstain blooming on my sleeve. "Your arm! You're hurt! W

m. "What happened is your precious Bridgett shoved her into a porcelain display, an

looked at my arm, then back at Ava, speechless. "I

d. "You were blind, Bro

I was so caught up with Bridgett's distress, I wasn't thinking." His hand reached

ling my sleeve down to cover the w

upset, I understand. But you know Bridgett. She's delicate. She doesn't mean to cause harm. She just... gets overwhelmed." His voi

ng. "Please, Elodie. Try to unde

ved he was doing the right thing, fulfilling some noble obligation.

flat, devoid of emotion.