Page 78 of Thorns of Malice

"You're lucky she didn't do more than that. Stay the fuck away from her," Dax repeats.

Avery and Lilly gape at me from the couch.

"What the fuck's your problem?" Bobby snarls, his eyes pinned on me, his fists clenching at his sides.

Suddenly, it's all too much. My world feels like it's collapsing again, and I have to get out of here.

Panicked, I glance around the room, run to the side table, and grab Dax's keys. I skedaddle out of the house with Dax on my heels.

He calls out, "Ivy, wait!"

I get into his car, shutting and locking the doors.

He pounds on the window. "Ivy!"

I start the car, rev the engine, and peel out of the driveway.

"Ivy," he yells, running after me.

I drive as fast as I can, but I don't go to the gate for some reason.

I park in front of Dax's old cottage.

I walk up to it and reach for the door. It's unlocked. I go inside and shut the door, then turn on the light.

Nothing has changed.

It's as if Dax left everything in it and moved out. I bypass the family room and go into the bedroom. I open the closet and freeze.

My heart bleeds at the sight. Dax's clothes hang next to mine. All the outfits he bought me the day I lost my virginity in the dressing room—the ones I was so proud to wear—fill the space.

It was the first time he made me call myself his little slut and whore so others could hear. Flashbacks of those images across Professor Dyer's big classroom screen create more tears. I grab one of Dax's shirts and smell it, crying harder when his scent flares in my nostrils.

I shut the closet door and go into the bathroom. I open the medicine cabinet and stare at the whore-red nail polish and lipstick Dax always had on hand for me to wear.

I shut the cabinet, then stare at the necklace Dax bought for me to continue to wear.

Did he really design it and not Avery?

It doesn't matter.

I take my dress off but leave the necklace on, unable to remove it even though I should. I trace the ivy leaves over the I, remembering how much I loved this necklace.

I haven't worn it in years. I only took it out of hiding to auction off tonight.

I step into the shower, picking up the half-empty bottle of liquid soap I used ten years ago, sobbing when the lavender scent swirls around me.

It's like being in a time warp. I wash myself, trying to scrub everyone off me, including Dax.

As if I ever could.

I realize he'll always be part of me, which only makes me sob harder.

I stay in the shower for a long time. When I finally get out, I dry off and go to bed. I slide under the covers and inhale deeply, still breathing Dax's scent. I hug the pillow, feeling more broken than ever, wondering how I'll be strong enough to get through this.

I have to get vengeance for my father. For myself. For Matt and all the other people they've ever hurt.

And one thing I loathe to admit is way too clear.

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