Page 55 of All for her Forgiveness

I try to remember. "No, but on the day of her eighteenth birthday party, we had a fight because she said I looked prettier than her and that Hades would only have eyes for me."

"She knew you knew each other?"

"Yes, I ended up telling her, but I didn't mention the kisses we exchanged, of course."

"Of course?"

"It became clear that Pam thought Hades belonged to her. At first, I thought she loved him like a brother, but as I said, I just remembered she wanted him like one desires a man."

"That explains her change in attitude towards you."

"But I hadn't even seen him until her eighteenth birthday!"

"Darling, you're beautiful, and for an insecure woman, having someone like that around is a threat. From what you're telling me, when she invited you to live with them, I think she saw you as some kind of project. Someone she could lift out of poverty and mold. Until then, you were just a young girl she thought would serve as a kind of 'companion,' but as you told me, Vina gave you a makeover, bought you everything, and soon, the Cinderella—and I'm not saying this to belittle you, just for you to understand the context—turned into a princess."

"Yes, for a few weeks I really did feel like a princess, but I soon realized it wouldn't last, and when Mrs. Vina talked about the college I would like to attend, I avoided the subject. I started going out during the day and drawing in Central Park. I intended to sell my art there and start organizing my future."

"And did you succeed?"

I smile. "Yes, I sold a dozen pictures. They gave me a good little sum. The fact is, I increasingly avoided Pam, but on the night of her birthday, I couldn't help but be there."

"You couldn't? Or were you anxious to see Hades again?"

"I was—I won't lie. I think I fell in love with him at first sight, which makes me very stupid."

"Love doesn't come with a warning, Kennedy."

"But if I had realized that the Greek had stolen my heart that first night in New Orleans, I would never have accepted their invitation to go to New York. It was a tragedy waiting to happen."

"Tell me about the party."

"Mrs. Vina told us we looked beautiful."

"She didn't go?"

"No. And when we got there . . . Oh my God!" I almost jump up, trembling and feeling nauseous.

"What? " He looks at the baby monitor, perhaps thinking I'm worried about King.

"It was Pam who introduced me to Ryan Corey III! At my trial, it was stated, as far as I remember, that it was the other way around, but that's a lie!" I run my hand over my face in despair. "She knew him, and they were very close. Pam insisted that I date him, but I'm sure I never did! I didn't sleep with Ryan, Ernest. I was disgusted by him from the start because he was repulsive to me. He tried to kiss me as soon as we were introduced. Then he wanted me to go to the bathroom with him to do cocaine. Jesus!"

"Bastard."

"You know what this means? Everything the defense stated in that trial is a lie. Ryan's connection was with Pam, not with me. Now, I just need to tell this to my lawyers so that the prosecution investigates their connection!"

Kennedy

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Past

"I don't wantto be with this guy. Why are you forcing the situation?" I ask Pam.

"Why not? Ryan is handsome."

"Looks aren't enough. It took me two minutes with him to see he's not someone we should hang out with, Pam. It was obvious to me he used drugs today."

"Wow, I didn't realize you were so judgmental, Juliet!"

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