Page 104 of The Lair

I look at my mother, my father, my brother, and say goodbye to the people behind me for good. Because, after this, The Lair will no longer be my home.

“Youruinedmy life,” I snarl, turning to my parents, tears gathering in my eyes.I hate it. I hate them. I hate myself.“You made money off me without my consent for years, exposed me to millions of strangers, and got mekidnapped. And you have the nerve to barrel into my life six years later,demandingI give back the only thing that protects me from you? Howdareyou?”

Through the tears, I think I see my mother flinch. But experience has shown me empathy isn’t part of her emotional range, so I’m certain I’m only seeing what my inner child has always longed for—a caring mother who’s capable of apologizing and righting her wrongs, no matter what it took.

My mother hesitates, but she picks herself back up quickly enough. “We know you stole that money. We saw it on thecameras and have it on tape. Ten thousand dollars is no joke, Allison. If you delete the video and sign the NDA, we won’t press charges or reveal your new identity to the press. We’ll consider us even. Your choice.”

“I didn’t steal that money becauseIearned it.” My lungs feel incapable of taking a full breath. “You pimped me out on the internet for years, selling my image to publicity campaigns I never agreed to participate in. You used me, and I neversaw a cent. I didn’t want your money, couldn’t care less about it when you’ve scarred me for life. I only used it to get away because I had no other choice.Youdidn’t leave me any other choice.”

She huffs, turning to my father. “Are you hearing this?” When she looks at me again, I don’t see a mother. All I see is a monster. “You privileged, ungratefulbitch. We gave you an easy life, influence, privileges. More than a brat like you could’ve ever strived for, and this is how you thank us?”

My heart can’t take any more beatings, so I let that word slide.

But Travis doesn’t.

“What did you just call her?” He keeps his voice low, reminding me of the military man he once was even though I never knew him.

“You don’t get it. You still don’t get it.” I turn to my mother before she can answer Travis. Unlike his, my voice has turned meek, quiet, as the fight leaves me for good. “I never asked or wanted to grow up with a camera in my face. And I never…”

I wipe at my tears, deciding that I’m done wasting my time with a mother who won’t listen. With a father who never cared. In one last hopeless attempt at clinging to that stupidly idealistic dream of a real family, I turn to Johnny.

“I know you hate me.” My voice breaks, and my throat hurts when I speak, but I push through. Because when it comes to my past, not giving closure to my siblings is the only thingI regret. “I know we’ve never been close, but I hope one day you’ll understand my choices. I hope you will forgive me for the pain I’ve caused you and Cindy by leaving like that, without giving you an explanation. For never reaching out because I… I couldn’t, Johnny. I hope you realize they’ve used you too. All three of us. You may hate me, but I don’t hate you. Despite everything, I don’t. I can’t. You’re victims too. Victims of greed and harmful decisions?—”

“Enough.” My mother cuts me off, her words bouncing off the walls. “Enough of playing the victim, Allison! Sign the damn NDA.”

I’d almost forgotten Travis’s presence at my back until he steps in front of me, blocking me from my family’s view.

“You have ten seconds to get the fuck out of here before I call the cops.”

I hear my father’s voice. “You wouldn’t?—”

“The press would love to know you caused a scene in a bar. That tends to be good for the reputation, I’m sure.”

I’m not surprisedthat, a threat to their public image, is what makes my mother sidestep Travis until she’s facing me again and say, “Our lawyer will be in touch soon with the NDA, AllisonSmith. Make a smart choice for once in your life. You have one week.”

Nothing feels real for the next few minutes as my family exits The Lair, leaving behind nothing but the broken pieces of my future mixed with the shattered remains of my past.

The ground beneath my feet isn’t sturdy anymore.

My vision blurs with tears, dizziness. Both.

My ears ring, but I still hear his voice.

I think it’s Travis.

I think he’s calling my name.

What must be his hands land on my shoulder. My eyesight focuses long enough to see his moving lips, but my hearing hasn’t caught up.

It’s like there’s a flat line inside of me. Like everything my heart had started beating for in the past year is now gone.

Video. NDA. Lawsuit.

The words swirl in my head. Everything turns black again.

I have to get out of here.

I think I say something. I don’t know. My mouth is open. I know it because it’s so dry, it hurts. I’m not sure if any words come out.

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