Page 318 of Hateful Games

The flames of hope flicker brighter when she circles my wrists.

Tightens them for a fraction of a breath.

Not to lean into my embrace, but to pull them away.

I’m gutted each time she does this.

“You’re embarrassing yourself, Nova,” she replies, her tone mocking. Brushing past, she creates distance before facing me. Tilting her head, she sighs. “I can’t believe this trick works every time. You never see me coming. I didn’t even think you’d fall for the lies so easily. I told you, only hate can exist between us.”

“When you said you loved me, that was a lie too?” I ask, wanting to hear the words.

“Everything was a lie.” Her voice is unflinching and remorseless. “I had to gain your trust, get closer to you and make you fall in love with me.”

Every word drives the knife deeper.

Until the gut-wrenching pain twists into acceptance that maybe I never knew her at all. I was blindsided by my own lust and affection. The craving and obsession to possess her. Every layer of mine I let her peer inside was just another weapon to destroy me.

She single-handedly distracted me from my sole mission.

The old wounds hadn’t even healed and now, they are once again chafed and bloody.

Her betrayal akin to gasoline.

“What made your father earn such undying loyalty?” I harden my voice, concealing my emotions. “Or was it an act too, huh? Was your story real or did you fake those scars and tears? After all, there are no lines you wouldn’t cross to sabotage me.”

My taunting words pull no reaction from her stillness and indifference.

I know she didn’t lie about them, but I want to see her show me some emotion. Perhaps I haven’t lost all my vindictiveness.

“Does the uncle even exist?”

She flinches.

A crack in her armor.

“I told you I never wanted to be your wife, Nova. I have only ever been a pawn to every single man in my life. The week in London, you shredded all my hopes of us ever being civil, without none of your cruelty. I was exchanging one prison for another.” Her voice pitches higher as she lashes out tragically, “I decided I wasn’t spending my life this way. I was done being treated like a piece of property to pass around for everyone’s gain. So, I made a deal with Dad. I betrayed you because even being invisible comes with a price, Nova. My father made me pay mine.”

Even angry and shouting, my heart aches for her.

“I’m not divorcing you,” I inform.

“It’s not up to you.”

“I’m not meeting your father’s demand either. I’m going to destroy him,” I say. “The only thing stopping me was you. Since you’ve decided to make an enemy out of me, it’s only fair I pay in kind.”

She blinks nervously before defiance and arrogance tighten her features. “You’re underestimating him, Nova. He won’t stop coming at you.”

“He has already showed his cards.”

“You, on the other hand, have nothing.”

Oh, how wrong you are, Rose. “I have something that will not only destroy him, but you too, my wife.”

The question is… will I go ahead with my plan?

Crossing the room, I fist her hair and pull her head back. She swallows as I circle her throat and whisper, “If everything was a treacherous little lie, then tell me you never loved me. Say the words. But know this, there will be consequences.”

Silence hangs heavy in the air.

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