Page 127 of The Love Penalty

Harvey gives me a cautious side-eye, but I hear his heavy sigh as I step out of the car, and he’s soon following me into the house.

“Oh, good! You made it. Asher passed on my message, then.” Aunt Carla’s bright voice fades as she rounds the corner and spots us.

“Harvey?” She rushes toward him. “What happened?”

“Asher punched me,” he spits.

I clench my jaw, my upper lip curling as I throw him the darkest look known to man.

My aunt spears me a sharp glare before wrapping her arm around Harvey’s waist. “Let’s get you some ice, sweetie.”

I scoff and shake my head. “He doesn’t deserve ice.”

“What?” She spins, the word flying out of her mouth like a sharp slap. “You’d better check yourself, Asher Bensen.”

I rise to her fierce look, my sneakers squeaking on the tiled floor as I slowly approach her. “I’ve got evidence now.”

“Some security footage?” She scoffs at me like I’m pitiful. “That’s not going to hold up.”

My shoulder hitches. “Well, maybe the recording of Harvey yelling at my girlfriend, telling her she needed a good fuck and then admitting that he heard her say stop will help.”

“I never said that!” Harvey snaps.

My scorn is potent as I shake my head at him. “You told her she didn’t mean it when she said stop, which means you heard her fucking say it! You raped her, Harvey. You can lie to yourself as much as you want, but the truth is… you raped her.”

Aunt Carla’s cheeks pale, and she glances at her son before dipping her eyes to the floor.

Harvey’s expression buckles with pain, but it doesn’t last long. Uncle Hayes walks into the room. His clipped steps seem to echo off the marble, and I brace myself for battle.

“What’s going on here?” He looks between us, his lips flatlining when he spots Harvey’s red nose and the dried blood crusting on his upper lip. “I see you boys have had a disagreement.”

I let out a harsh laugh. “I don’t even know you guys anymore.” Pain slices through me. “I used to adore you. I used to wish you were my parents and that Harvey was my brother. I used to beg my parents to let me stay here for longer.”

Aunt Carla’s expression softens for a moment, like she can’t remember why she’s mad at me, but then I remind her, because that’s why I’m fucking here, right?

“But I can’t be a part of this family anymore. Not if you’re gonna keep covering for him.” I point at Harvey. “He’s a rapist. Why are you trying to protect him? Do you not care about the girls he’s ruined? Do you not give a shit that the next party he goes to, another innocent woman is going to fall victim to him?”

“They don’t all say no!” Harvey spits. “They don’t all tell me to stop.”

“Harvey, shut up.” His father throws him a look of pure disgust before turning back to me. “It’s loyalty, Asher. He’s my son. I’ll defend him no matter what.”

“Well, you’re not doing him any favors.” My voice rises, echoing back to me off these cold, pristine walls. “He needs help!”

“And you need to get out.” Uncle Hayes’s glare is so hard and unrelenting.

I don’t even know this man anymore.

How could it all change so quickly?

How could they do this?

I shake my head, a deep sadness sweeping through me as I frown at my family and realize how delusional I’ve been. It’s like I’ve had blinders on or something.

They were so great. So perfect.

But they’re assholes, thinking they’re above it. Thinking the rules don’t apply to them.

Fuck this.

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