Page 55 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

“I know, you’ve been so brave. So fucking brave. You’re going to be okay. We’ll be okay. They’re gone now. They can’t hurt you any more. They’ve paid for what they’ve done.”

I trembled, trying not to remember the look in Tristan’s eyes when he realised I’d stabbed him in the neck with a knife.

“Shh, it’s okay,” he whispered, kissing my forehead. “I’ve got you.”

Tears leaked out of my eyes. The despair I felt sunk into my bones. How could I have ever been capable of taking another person’s life away? How?

“Aiden,” I sobbed. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you. I should’ve. I never would’ve done that if I’d just stayed. I’m sorry.”

“Princess, please don’t apologise. It’s not your fault.”

“It is. It is. I killed him. I can’t do this. I can’t. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do it. I wanted him to stop.”

“Shh, shh, I know, princess, I know. Shh. It’s okay. You had no choice. Just let it out, okay? I’m here. I’ll help you get through this. I will, I promise. I’ll make it okay.”

I shook my head, sobbing into his chest. Nothing about this was okay. Nothing at all. My soul fractured in half. I wasn’t sure how to live with myself.

“How?”

“By loving you every single day and reminding you of how strong you are. How brave you’ve been. How much good is in you. You survived and you’ll keep on surviving. It’ll be okay because we’re going to make sure the rest of them pay. We’re going to rescue all those girls and we’ll make sure no one hurts them again. That’s how.”

I wrapped my arms around Aiden’s neck and buried my face in his shoulder.

I just hoped he was right because if he wasn’t, then I’d die inside a little more every day.

I didn’t want to be a broken girl.

And a small part of me realised that perhaps after this, I’d never be able to put myself back together ever again.

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