Page 97 of Thorns of Malice

She spouts, "How do you think his father felt when he saw it?"

My gut dives. Blood drains from my face to my toes.

"How do you think Matt felt learning his father watched that…that rape scene?"

Bile rises in my throat.

"What is it about you, Dax? Is it because your relationship with your father sucked so bad you have to make everyone's father ashamed of them?"

I close my eyes. "Ivy, that wasn't?—"

"That wasn't the point? But you did it. You didn't think about the consequences and who you would hurt, did you?"

"I just wanted to destroy them for you!"

"I can destroy people on my own. I don't need your help."

"That's not who you are," I declare.

She stills and then a twisted smile curves her lips.

The hairs on my neck rise.

She declares, "You've always underestimated me, Dax."

"No, I haven't."

"Yeah, you have. And like I told you last night, I'm not that same girl you broke. You should be aware of it."

17

Ivy

Sunlight streams over my face. I open my eyes and glance around the room.

I'm still at Dax's cottage.

The events from yesterday hit me once again. I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing the nightmares would stop—for everyone, all of their victims. It's as if I'm reliving ten years ago, and there's destruction all around me.

I grab my phone and text Matt.

Me: Are you okay?

It's the first time I've reached out since he called me and told me it was him on the video. I had just gotten done watching it with horror, wondering who all the victims were. I was shocked at what Avery, Bobby, and Dyer had done. It was just more tragedy, more innocence stolen, more games played with unknowing pawns.

Matt: I'll be fine.

Me: I'm sorry this happened to you. I feel like this is partly my fault.

Matt: Why would it be your fault?

Me: I came back here. Maybe I opened a can of worms.

Matt: Don't give yourself that much credit. They are who they are.

Me: I'm sorry your father saw the video.

Matt: It's okay. I had ten years to prepare for this day.

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