Page 153 of Loving the Liar

“Do you know what would be terribly unfortunate, Sweets?”

I squeeze my eyes shut, tears falling so freely I can’t see clearly anymore.

“If Hermes released that picture.”

My eyes fly back open, locking onto his. “It was you.”

He nods. I swallow down the bile rising up my throat.

“You set her up to make Duval believe she was the one behind the account.”

He nods again. “If it can ease your mind. Everything Megan got, she deserved.”

And she did, didn’t she? She was violent, abusive, malicious, threatened his dad, got him hurt.

“But I didn’t,” I croak with a shake of my head. “I don’t deserve this.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” He even says it like he means it, but he doesn’t take his blackmailing threat back. “Once you’re all mine, I’ll make it all better. I promise you.”

“You did it.” My voice is barely audible, but I don’t care. “You burned down my entire world.”

His hand caresses me some more, and he softly grips my hair to keep me looking up at him as my hopeless gaze strays to the sky.

“I did. Now might be the time you want to take back your words, baby. Because if this gets out, you won’t only have the police after you, but the entire Circle.”

“What words?” I whimper, a sob choking me.

He smirks, the devil within him darkening the already blackened forest.

“I wouldn’t go back to you if you were my last option on earth. It looks like I’m your last option. Are you sure you don’t want to choose me?”

I blink up at him, realizing that those words will forever haunt me. Unless…unless I do choose him.

And I truly don’t have a choice this time.

He doesn’t force it with violence. He helps me up with gentle hands, pushes strands of wild blonde hair away from my face, and wipes the tears from my eyes.

And he doesn’t make me spell it out. Doesn’t make me admit defeat. He takes pity on me and simply says, “Shall I take you back to our home now, Sweets? We have to call Zeus and tell him you changed your mind.”

I nod, sniffling.

The worst part isn’t that I lost.

I once heard that people on the run from the police for years almost look relieved once they get caught. They couldn’t take the fear anymore. Looking back over their shoulders constantly, living a life of paranoia isn’t worth it.

That’s the worst part. That feeling of relief enveloping me. There’s no more running away from Chris. He got me, and I can finally let go.

Chapter Forty

Ella

Born To Die - Lana Del Reay

“Is your brother home?” he asks as he parks in front of my house in Stoneview.

I assume he drove me here rather than my college house because he wants to talk to him.

I nod. I haven’t been able to talk since we left the forest. I still can’t believe he went as far as framing me for murder. I’m not sure I want to wrap my mind around it.

---