Page 66 of Ruthless Regret

“This isn’t about choosing Zain. It’s about finding the truth.”

He laughs, the sound sharp and bitter. “Is that what you’re telling yourself? Because it sure as hell looks like you’re choosing him … the man who murdered your brother … over me. Overus.”

“There is nous. I’ve told you that. Not anymore.”

His features harden further. “You didn’t even give me a real reason for ending things. You left me a message, like I didn’t fucking matter. You never even gave me a chance to convince you to give us another chance.”

“Youcan’tconvince me, why don’t you understand that? I don’t want to hurt you, Scott. But I already told you … I wasn’thappy. I’m not in love with you … Not the way you say you are with me.”

He flinches. “So what? You stayed with me out of pity? Guilt?”

“No! It wasn’t like that. I cared about you, of course I did. But I wasn’t being honest with myself. Or with you.”

“Funny how you came to that conclusion after going back to Whitstone and meeting Zain.”

“How I feel about you has nothing to do with Zain.” Except it has, in a weird way. He forced me to face the fact that I was staying with Scott because he was safe, made no demands, and the relationship was simple … Or I thought it was.

“I thought we were going to build a life together.”

“I’m sorry.”

Anger fills his voice again. “He’s going to ruin you, Ash.”

“He’s not the reason behind everything. But I need to know what happened, Scott. Ineedto know.”

Scott stares at me, his chest rising and falling with the effort of holding back whatever he really wants to say. Then, finally, he takes a step back.

“Fine.” His voice is cold. “But don’t come crawling to me when he tears your life apart.”

He turns and walks toward the door, then glances back at me. “You’re making a mistake, Ashley. And you’re going to regret it.”

Without another word, he leaves, the door slamming hard behind him. Karla and Jessa-Mae stand, frozen to the spot.

“Are you okay?” It’s Karla who breaks the silence.

I nod, but my throat feels tight. “Yeah.” I manage to push the word out, although the truth is I have no idea if I’m okay or not.

They don’t push, which I’m grateful for.

“My shift starts at ten. Unless you want us to stay home with you?” Jessa says.

“Do you want me to call in sick?” Karla offers, and I shake my head. “Are you sure?”

“Go to work. I’ll be fine.”

Truth is, I need the quiet so I can think about my next step.

Once Karla and Jessa-Mae have left, I make a cup of tea and relocate to the living room. Sinking onto the couch, I draw my knees up to my chest, and loop my arms around my legs. Scott’s words are still bouncing around my head, loud and sharp, mixing with the questions and fears already suffocating me.

You’re making a mistake.

You’re going to regret it.

Maybe he’s right. Maybe going back to Whitstone is a mistake. But it’s the only way I’ll ever get all the answers I need. I can’t live in the dark anymore. I can’t move forward, suffering constant nightmares, haunted by the unanswered questions locked inside my head.

I close my eyes, trying to clear my thoughts, but all I can see is Zain’s face. The way he looked at me earlier. The way the intensity in his eyes made my pulse race.

I hate it.

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