Shadows of deceipt

ced by the window, arms crossed, while Elizabeth sat stiffly

ou have to listen. These lies-they're not just rumo

ve heard them all," she replied quietly. "But not everything being said about Sebastian is

about the rest? What about the t

tted, her voice cracking. "I don't know what

the door. Helen opened it to find Jennifer, perfectly p

aid smoothly, brushing p

mediately. "You s

pped. Her eyes locked on Helen. "I'm

d your truths before, Jennifer. A

. "Sebastian lied to you. He's not who you think he

low. "Why are you so det

oyed someone I loved. Steven deserved better than what happened. And you-" she to

. Helen caught it. "Yo

r looke

hispered. "This isn'

anipulating Helen. Using her grief, he

"Maybe I have feelings. Maybe I want rev

incere, echoed in her mind. The way he looked at her, like she was the only t

window, silence fa

He will break you, Helen.

o the night, her heart still whi

ng with the movement of the city outside. His phone lay untouched on the coffee t

hadn't

en a m

s were spreading like wildfire, and no matter how hard he t

ws on his knees, starin

or revenge ran-or how far she'd go to get what she wanted. First Steven. Now He

asn't the

art was Hel

the truth, it seemed, was never enough when the lies were so carefully crafted. And ev

ounded at

hope rising in his chest-but whe

st friend and the only

thout preamble, stepping inside. "From Jenn

ace darkened.

said. "But she's shaken. Jennifer's goo

his sides. "I never meant to hurt Steven

truth. She's mixing it with just enough lies to make you look guilty.

een it in Jennifer's eyes the last time they spoke-

"But only because she can't sta

od. "Exactly. So what

er everything. No more silence. No more running. If she's going to doubt

ecause no matter how much love he had for Helen, he knew lov