Page 93 of Vengeful Vows

I don’t say it to be harsh, but it comes out that way.

Lara hums, rocking the rocking chair she sits in backwards. “After Ma died, it was easy for everyone to forget about me. I was so young, but of course, not as young as Paige. I’m the middle child for all intents and purposes. Everyone was grieving, and everyone was trying to distract Paige from it because she was too young to understand. I just felt so confused.... and alone. It seemed like I was the only one that felt guilty that I was alive, and she wasn’t.”

I nod slowly, my heart aching. It was my father who’d killed her mother, and I don’t even know how she can sit here and look at me.

“But after a while, everyone started noticing me again. We all moved on, as much as it hurt. And my family rallied around me when it took me a little longer than the others. They were patient, and kind, and soon enough, I realized that I was still loved and supported by them. It was hard, at first. And I remember how hard it was. I think about it a lot. So, I just wanted you to know that I do understand, and I’m here if you need to talk.”

I shake my head. “It’s different, though, Lara. You were already a part of the Burke family, already loved by them. You were never their enemy like me. You were never confused by feelings of guilt and loyalty and love.”

The last part comes out before I know what I’m saying.

“Love?” Lara raises her well-groomed eyebrows. “You love Declan? That’s amazing, that this marriage turned into a love match!”

She sounds excited, almost like Paige, and I can see their resemblance more than ever.

The chuckle I let out is bitter. “It’s not like that,” I say quickly. “Declan doesn’t love me, and there are things...” I shake my head.

I sigh and shrug. “He never will. And I have to come to terms with that, with live with whatever this damn war brings. I just hope that everyone I care about survives. I don’t care what happens to me.”

“What do you mean, what happens with you?” Lara’s brows draw together.

I stand up, shaking my head. “Nothing. I’m just thinking out loud. Sorry, I’m all over the place. Overthinking things.”

She leans forward, taking my wrist in her delicate grasp. “Bree, please. Stay and talk with me. It’ll make you feel better if nothing else.”

“I have to go.” I pull gently away from her, heading back up to the bedroom and locking the door, panting and feeling anxious, my heart racing.

Like I don’t already feel bad enough, now I’m lying to Lara. She and Paige have become my best friends, and I’m lying to both of them. I’m lying to everyone I’ve grown to care about.

The Burkes don’t deserve this.

I plop down in bed, face down, groaning into the pillow.

What am I going to do now?

I don’t realize I’ve fallen asleep until there’s a banging on the door.

I go to it quickly, worried that something might be wrong with Declan, but instead of my husband, it’s Paige and Lara standing there.

“You’re coming with us,” Paige says, grabbing my hand, and she drags me out into the hallway.

I blink.

Do they know? Did Declan send these two to kill me?

“Where are we going?”

“Shopping for ourselves and Paige’s new house,” Lara says with a small smile.

I pause, frowning. “We can’t go out in public. At least, I can’t.”

“It’s not public,” Paige pipes up. “We rented out the local mall.”

“You can... rent out a mall?”

“With enough money, you sure can.” Lara grins. “It’s only going to be us and the employees.”

Thirty minutes later, we’re pulling up at the mall, and I look around at the empty parking lot. The driver lets us out at the door, and Paige bustles inside.

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