His Lies, My Unbreakable Heart
back, my face scrubbed clean of makeup. I was playing the role of the sad, confused, and forgiving friend. My heart was a
door, her face a perfec
e said, pulling me into a hug that fe
Jake and Emily were sitting a little too close on the couch. They looked up as I enter
up. "I was an idiot. I was scared, and I l
in, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. "Jake was
e, weaving a new net of
Peterson talked about the "wonderful memories" our families shared. Mr. Peterson, a
over mine on the table. "That's why we were so happy to hear you were considering the sta
lie. Even after I knew. Th
ing through her monologue. "That's a good point, M
y at Jake. "So w
ent. The clinking
er this," Jake sai
ering. "You told me you failed. You begge
you!" he burst out
let out a short, bitter laugh. "Or wer
Peterson froze, his wine glass halfway to his li
you're talking ab
ed it on the pristine white tablecloth. It sat there, small a
he 'acquisition strategy' for my AI. The mock-ups
pure, undisguised fury. "You snooped
eal my life's work," I shot back. "I think t
et facade crumbling to reveal the venom beneath. "After eve
rce to be exploited for your failing company. Our friendship,
e my other half. There was no remorse in
final, painful surgery. "Whatever we were, it's do
sk of fury. He wasn't trying to talk anym
ining this for
e was bigger and stronger, and for a terrifyin
he front doo
ar
ad sent him a single text before I came in: "Peter
ir, my terrified face, Jake's aggressive posture. He
e said, his voice
nce. Mrs. Peterson was sputtering, trying to salvage the s
house and into the cool ni
told him everything, the words tumbling out in a rush. He j
he just said, "
o my laptop. I opened the admissions
our offer o
d in a fire of betrayal. But