Page 126 of Bitter Truths

Now, looking back, I understand what he was seeing, but I was overcome that this boy with pretty hazel eyes and handsome features wantedme.

I should have told him how much I love him. I should have shown him how precious and beautiful he is. He’s not a monster. He’s a man who was put in an impossible situation and broke apart because of it.

But none of this matters now because I’ll never see him again. With a smile curling my lip, I go back to the last time we made love, and he surged into me with his need. I—

“Look at me,” Dr. Marks screams, his hands falling away from my neck.

With a choked sob, I claw at my throat and turn to my side. The air hurts my lungs but feels so fucking good.

I spy him stand and walk away from the corner of my vision, but I have no room for anything but breathing.

Eventually, he returns, and I glance at him warily.

“You’ll fall in line,” he says, his eyes cold.

“No,” I rasp, and he cocks his head to the side.

“No?”

“Fuck you. I’d rather die.”

For a moment, he just stares at me with wide dark eyes before his brows drop and his mouth forms a thin line. “You want to die? It sounds like you’re a danger to yourself. Look at you. You’ve already participated in self-harm. I’m worried about you, Halsey.”

“You’re a sick psychopathic dick,” I snarl, standing and weaving in place.

Although I can breathe, my body fucking hurts. I don’t know how much damage I can do, but for once, I’m willing to take the hit if it means I show this fucker who I am.

I’m the girl who survived rape. I walked that path, and I lived. Nothing this dick does can change me, and I’ll die showing him.

Dropping the towel, I stand tall, smiling when his eyes drop to my boobs.

He licks his lips, and I snicker. “You want this? Well fuck you, you can’t have it.”

His eyes darken, and he steps forward, but I don’t cower. Instead, I step into him and grab the glass of wine, bringing it to my lips. He grabs it from my hand with a fierce scowl and downs it before throwing the glass at the wall.

Tipping my head back, I laugh, the bitter amusement sharp on my abraided throat.

He wraps his hand around my bruised skin and squeezes, but I ignore him and whisper, “You’re fucked.”

He smirks, the light of triumph shining behind his eyes. “How so?”

Leaning into his hand around my throat, I stretch my lips into a smile as well, satisfied when I see his eyes flicker.

“Your arrogance is your end,” I rasp.

“Delusional now too?” He squeezes my throat, pushing me back before his eyes go wide.

He steps away and drops to his knees. “Wha—”

He reaches out to me, his eyes rolling back, and I push him down, my heart thumping as he falls to the floor.

Silently, I watch his limbs convulse, splayed across the tile as his face contorts before he stills, and it’s just me.

∞∞∞

Later, I’m sitting in a hospital bed curled in a ball. Max is beside me, his head buried in his hands.

My parents are on their way, but it will be a while before they arrive.

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