Page 76 of Thorns of Malice

He confesses, "Fine. I'll admit it. Causing a rift between you and your dad was part of the game, and I know that was wrong of me."

"And why was I in this game, Dax?" I demand, my voice shaking, hoping to get some insight into the one question I've always wanted the answer to.

He slowly shrugs his shoulders. "I don't know."

"You don't know?" I hurl, the rage building within me.

He hesitates. "Ivy, what I did was fucked-up. I know it was fucked-up, but if you'll just?—"

"If I'll just what, Dax? Pretend like nothing ever happened? Like you didn't destroy my entire life and my father's? That you didn't steal from him and then cause his heart attack?"

"Ivy, I didn't cause his heart attack."

"You did."

"How many heart attacks has your dad had over the years?"

I stay quiet, my insides quivering.

Dax orders, "Answer me."

But I don't. I'm not going to admit to him my dad had six heart attacks before his final one.

Dax sighs. "Ivy, your dad had heart issues."

"How do you know?"

"You told me."

"I told you he had one heart attack, that's it."

He tilts his head. "Ivy, your dad had heart issues ten years ago. I'm sorry he's dead. Truly, I am."

"Just say you're sorry you killed him," I demand.

Dax looks at me, insisting, "I didn't kill him, Ivy. He had a heart attack."

"Do you ever take responsibility for what you've done?"

"Ivy..." He tries to pull me toward him.

I push him away. "Don't touch me." I get off of the bed and grab my bra and underwear.

"Ivy," he says, following me.

I reach the door and try to open it, but it's locked.

He puts his hand on the door, turns me to face him, and presses closer. "Ivy, I fucked up on a lot of levels."

I sarcastically laugh. "You think?"

"I know I did. But I'm not here to hurt you. All I want is you."

Once again, I can only laugh, and I shake my head with more tears falling down my cheeks. "You'll never have me again, Dax. Now, let me out."

His face falls. "You don't mean that."

"I do. Let me out."

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