Page 39 of Mercy Lake

She relented, but as I went to retreat, she latched on to my hand like a lifeline, lacing her fingers with mine. Alexis was squeezing so tight her knuckles turned white. But I didn’t care. As long as she wanted me, I was hers.

“You’re a victim too, Lex.” As she tried to shake her head, I raised the back of her hand to my mouth so I could seal the truth into her skin. “Not in the same way. But you ended up being collateral damage through no fault of your own. Whatever happened back then, you were a part of the fallout from the gigantic bomb Everly manufactured and dropped on us.”

Alexis straightened, a spark igniting from the mention of the devil herself.

“Tell me she suffered, Owen. Tell me she didn’t get away scot-free.”

“Of course she didn’t. I sent the bitch to jail.”

Alexis’ jaw dropped, then she gestured for me to continue.

“After I found out everything, I-I kind of lost it,” I said. “I first reported the sexual assault, which didn’t get the desired outcome. They had no evidence to convict her, so it was my word against hers. And Everly was still fucking delusional enough to claim it was consensual. Then, I was truly on the warpath andnothing could satiate my thirst except for the destruction of her world. At that point, I didn’t care who got railroaded.

“Barry claimed that when he hit me, it was in reaction to his baby and the mother of his newborn in distress. Since he had no previous record, he was discharged without conviction. I was frustrated at first until I found out he had no knowledge of Everly’s lies. He didn’t know she was pregnant until the day she delivered. He was also lost with misinformation, trying to piece everything together. He did apologise to me, and I accepted. They were extenuating circumstances, and I understood he was just trying to protect them in such a vulnerable state. He didn’t know the extent of who I was.”

“Agnes, Everly’s mother, was fired from her job. She claimed Everly used her credentials without her knowledge, but that still didn’t go down well. And Everly… Well, she was charged with fraud and forgery. In the end, she was sentenced to twelve months.”

I knew Alexis was overloaded, but I felt like they were important components for her to know. We had to follow through to the very end. Have it all out, every piece of microscopic information forthright and blatant for the other to absorb. And that’s what she was doing, her mind working overtime, as told by her severe expression.

After a few long minutes, she asked, “Where are they now?”

I shrugged. “After Everly was committed, Barry ran off with his daughter, and Agnes left town so fast she didn’t even settle her estate. As soon as they were gone, I crumbled. It… It took a heavy toll on me. Although I was successful in ruining her, I ruined myself in the process.”

My mind wandered, stuck in the past. “My family had to step in and practically bullied me into getting help. They took care of me, helped me recover, helped me heal. So, when that toxicitywas removed from my life, I never looked them up again. I left them behind where they belonged.”

I was shaken out of my thoughts by Alexis. She was absent-mindedly massaging my hand, smoothing the tension from my palm, my nerves sparking from the caress.

It was an old calming technique she’d use if I was stressed or emotional. And just like back then, all that negative energy just seeped away from the mere form of her touch. I didn’t even think she was aware she was doing it.

“I wish I was there. To help you recover, to help you heal,” she said, her tone filled with regret.

“I’m glad you weren’t.” Her expression dropped before I continued. “You had your own demons to deal with, Lex. You couldn’t tackle mine alongside your own. Although I was dying without you, I found peace in the knowledge that Everly got some form of the justice she deserved.”

“Except for one thing.”

“And what’s that?”

“Corporal punishment.”

I chuckled. Alexis didn’t.

Right then, I had no doubt in my mind that if Everly happened to walk past at that exact moment, she wouldn’t make it out alive.

I was unsure on how much time had gone by, but we remained in the same positions, just processing and coming to terms with all that was said.

“What… What happens now?” Alexis whispered.

“What do youwantto happen?”

“I honestly don’t know. What doyouwant to happen?”

I paused. That was a dangerous question. She wasn’t prepared for my answer—nowhere near ready to hear about my ongoing obsession.

Then, she cut in. “Don’t think, Owen. Just be honest… Please.”

Shit.She would never have to ask that of me again. Blowing out a long exhale, I gave her what she asked. Every fucked up, fixated corner of my being that always screamed out for her.

“I wantyou,Alexis. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

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