Page 131 of Hate You Forever (Hate 1)

He doesn’t understand who the monster is standing in front of him.

Even my parents are still fooled by his charm. They’re clueless about the pain and torture he put me through. If I’d just told them all those years ago, I wouldn’t be in this situation right now. I wouldn’t be trying to figure out how to tell my parents I married a stranger to get away from Zayan.

But then I wouldn’t have Marnix either. Yeah, he saved me from losing the restaurant, but I could’ve figured something out, like I always do. I wouldn’t have rushed into this marriage, thinking it was the only way to protect myself.

I wouldn’t have him.

I wouldn’t have Rush.

I wouldn’t have Cohutta.

I wouldn’t have fallen in love with them.

Keeping what he did to myself was probably not the smartest idea, but it’s given me the life I’ve always wanted.

I need to go back out there and put my foot down. It’s time I tell everyone the truth, no matter how painful it is. No matter how much shame washes over me.

Marnix will be there with me. He’ll listen and understand. He’ll have my back and that’s what makes this even remotely bearable. I didn’t think when I started this day that I’d be so sure of our relationship, but after our discussion in the car, I know he’ll protect me.

I can do this. I’m a fucking fighter, a warrior, a survivor—Rush reassured me of that. I haven’t been to hell and back just to let it all fall apart now. I’ve got Marnix on my side, and my parents will come around once they know the hell I went through. Together, we can get Zayan out of our lives and move on to a better future.

It’s time I tell my truth.

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