Page 100 of Beautiful Scars: Unshakeable

"Everything you've donetome," Sunny corrects, her voice ice-cold. "There's a difference."

Garrett's laugh is bitter. "You think this changes anything? You think playing queen bitch with your two guard dogs makes you strong?"

I watch Sunny carefully, ready to intervene if needed. But there's no trace of any of that old fear in her eyes now. Just steady determination.

"You're nothing without me." Garrett's voice turns sickeningly gentle. "I made you what you are. Every scar, every nightmare, every flinch when someone touches you—that's me. My mark. Proof I own you. I will always be a part of you, Princess."

Levi moves forward, fists clenched, but Sunny holds up her hand. "Let him talk. I want to hear what he has to say."

"You can pretend all you want, Princess. Play house with my little brother and his best buddy." Garrett's smile is all teeth. "But we both know the truth."

He leans forward against his restraints. "Every time they touch you, it's me you think about. Every time they try to love you, you remember why you don't deserve it. I broke you, Princess."

"The only thing broken," Sunny says quietly, "is your hold over me."

But Garrett just laughs again, the sound bouncing off concrete walls. "You're lying to yourself. I'm in your blood, Princess. You can't breathe without feeling me. I'll be there every fucking time you close your eyes."

I move closer to Sunny, close enough to feel the slight tremor running through her body. But her voice remains steady as she looks down at him.

"You're wrong," she says, her voice hard.

"Really?" He chuckles as his voice drops low. "Look at yourself, Princess. You're always going to be looking over your shoulder, always waiting for the other shoe to drop. You will always turn the corner and expect me to be there."

The basement feels too small suddenly, the air thick with pain and manipulation. Garrett strains against his bonds again, blood dripping steadily from the knife wound.

"No matter what happens here," he continues, eyes locked on Sunny. "No matter how many years pass or how far you run, it'll never be long enough or far enough. I've ruined you for anyone else."

That's enough. I step forward, grabbing the cloth Ty left behind. "Time to shut up."

Sunny doesn't object this time.

Garrett fights the gag, but between Levi and I, we get it secured tight. His eyes still burn with that obsessive rage as he stares at Sunny, trying to wound her with his gaze since he can't use his words anymore.

I turn to Sunny, ready to guide her upstairs, away from this nightmare. But she stands her ground, studying Garrett with an expression I've never seen before—part pity, part pain, and something else.

"You're wrong," she says softly. "You didn't ruin me. You tried to break me, to own me, to make me nothing but an extension of your sick obsession. But all you did was show me how strong I really am."

I want to end Garrett more than I’ve ever wanted anything.

But this isn't our moment.

Sunny stands in the center of the room, still holding the bloody knife. Her shoulders are straight, chin high. The red emergency lights cast harsh shadows across her face, highlighting the determination in her eyes.

"Angel," I say softly, using the name she chose for herself, not the twisted version Garrett corrupted. "This is your call."

Levi moves closer, his hand gentle as he touches her shoulder. "Whatever you want to do with him, we're here. It’s your choice."

"He's all yours," I add, watching her process our words. "It's your decision."

Garrett thrashes against his restraints, but the zip ties hold firm. Blood continues seeping from the knife wound Sunny inflicted—a beautiful reminder that she's not helpless anymore.

Sunny's eyes meet mine as the knife clatters to the floor, then Levi's. "Show me how."

Levi draws his gun slowly, letting Garrett watch every movement. The air crackles with tension as Levi shows her how to take off the safety and adjust her hands on the grip.

"Like this," he murmurs, placing the weapon in Sunny's hands. She takes a deep breath to steady herself placing her hands exactly like he showed her.

I position myself slightly behind her left shoulder while Levi mirrors me on her right. Close enough she knows we’re here for her, far enough to give her the space she needs to do this.

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