Page 97 of Oliver

“After, but play—“

“No!” I scream. “Never again. Don’t call me that. Don’t call me anything.”

I can’t be here. I need to go and lick my wounds.

Rushing down the hall, I scream when he picks me up and I kick out with my feet, grazing his shins.

Movement catches my eye at the bottom of the stairs, and I meet Maeve’s wide-eyed stare.

“Let me go,” I grunt.

“You can’t leave, Charming—“

“Wouldn’t be a problem if you had a fucking soul,” I shout, and Oliver drops me as though burned. Tears well and streak down Maeve’s pretty face as I say, “My sister is dead because of you. My mom…go to hell,Ollieand fucking burn there.”

Oliver

The house is quiet, thank fuck. I knew speaking my truth wouldn’t go over well but it was time that Penny realized I’m not the good guy. Why she continued to make up excuses I don’t know.

I did something that was horribly wrong, and I can’t take it back. I would if I could for her. Only for her.

Knowing my dad fucked her created a void so deep, I haven’t figured out how to get out of it. I did that. Me. And when Dixie followed, I tried to fucking fix it but there was no fixing this sickness. It took over everything and it’s still spreading like a fucking cancer.

Now, as I sit before Penny’s home, ensuring she’s safe inside, I wonder what it would have been like to just fucking take her myself.

It’s too late for regrets though. The lies are out and no matter the circumstances, I have to wallow in them.

Chapter 30

What is murder but one man’s punishment for another man’s sins?

Penny

The next few days pass in a blur. I don’t move from my bed and for the most part, I stare into nothing. Between the revelation that Dixie meant to kill me and Oliver’s fucking words, I’ve spiraled so low that I’ve contemplated following my mom to the other side.

It would be so easy to pull that damn car into the garage. Hell, if Mom was correct maybe her soul will be waiting there to usher me on.

It’s only when I get a new message that I rouse. It’s from Sabrina which turns my mouth sour although getting revenge on the Sinners is looking better and better.

Sabrina:Oren is dead. What the fuck did you do?

I don’t exactly need the damn reminder, but Sabrina wouldn’t know that. Truthfully, when I first heard about Matt’s death, I assumed it was Ramsay who fucked up his world but it would seem that Charming Charlie was cleaning house.

At least I got away. Although it doesn’t feel like a victory when I’m left with nothing. There aren’t even any pieces to pick up and move on with. It’s all fucking gone.

My family. The hope in my heart for a new beginning. People are dead both innocent and those who lost their way.

Who I was before this all began is gone and in her place someone I don’t like very much. Oliver may have played a stupid, cruel game but I didn’t have to take the bait.

I can blame my loneliness amongst the people I called friends but, in all reality, we were nothing more than thugs with pretty hair and fake smiles.

There was a void in my world that I couldn’t fill until Mr. G came along and made me feel smart, pretty,good. I ate that shit up when I should have run the other way.

And then, I allowed his son to fuck me, foolishly thinking it meant more than a way to get revenge.

Oliver’s actions were despicable, but I can’t exactly defend my own. Either way, I’m truly on my own now. It will be a cold day in hell before I speak to Oliver and the rest of the Sinners aren’t exactly eager to be besties.

There's always Sabrina. Ha. Or Bone.

---