Page 99 of Love Sick

She cups her face, surprised I would shit on her apology. But nothing she ever says will excuse her actions. But I need to remember the greater good.

“I deserved that.”

I nod and continue walking before I slap her other cheek.

“I promise that if you vouch for Parkfields, I’ll let you go. Joy signed over your money and possessions to me,” she reveals while I try not to curse. “But I’ll sign it back over to you…once you do what I ask. You’ll never have to see me again.”

I want to ask why, but I know; she wants Dutch. She believes if she turns over this new leaf, he will fall for her bullshit, and she will get the love she always craved.

I understand her messed-up childhood shaped her into the psychopath that she is, but that doesn’t excuse her actions. And nothing she ever says or does will change my mind.

I come to a stop by a drum and see burned-out debris in the bottom. Is Alanna trying to burn her past in hopes for a brighter future?

“Misha was a really lovely young man.”

I clench my fists, calming myself down.

“I only spoke to him a couple of times. He was quiet, but I could see intelligence behind those blue eyes. I would have done so many things differently,” she confesses, covering her face with her hands.

I cannot believe we are standing out here, talking about Misha like we’re best friends. I had a best friend who fucked my son and killed him because Alanna gave her false information. Both can rot in hell.

“In every book, every reader wants to know why…why did the villain do what they did? They want to know their backstory to why they’re the bad guy. I know I’m the villain in your story, Luna, and I’m sorry.

“I’m trying to make amends. I know I need help. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I will let you go after the concert. I will clear you as being medically fit and you can live a normal life. Joy, Noah, Daddy, they’ve all paid for their sins.

“You’ll never have to see me again. But I…love Dutch too. I’ve never hurt him.”

Is she really bargaining with me?

We both know that she won’t let Dutch go. She once called him Jonathan in her delirium, so it’s safe to say she would be more than happy for him to take Jonathan’s place.

Is this her trying to call a truce so we can…share?

Something suddenly occurs to me, something which will turn my stomach, but I will do anything to make this bitch suffer in ways unimaginable.

Nodding, I make clear I still hate her guts, but I’ll think over what she said.

Having enough fresh air for the day, I head back toward the house. Ironic, I know, that I prefer being in the house of horrors than out here with Alanna.

Dutch is playing piano and by the melancholy tune, it’s safe to assume he is saddened with the silent treatment.

I skipped dinner and showered instead because what I’m about to do, I feel I need to be cleansed. This is the worst idea ever, but it came to me when Alanna mentioned her love for Dutch.

Her desperation is disgusting. But I will use it in my favor. Alanna wants love so badly, so I intend to show her love…only to take it away from her as she took away mine.

She isn’t stupid. She knows I won’t forgive her. I need to win her trust, and what better way than by earning that trust by love-bombing this bitch until she chokes.

I look at my face in the shattered mirror, my jagged reflection a perfect example of how I’m feeling within. Kyle is with Bobby. I gave him the choice to flee through the secret door. But he said he would stay and help me with my plan.

I know he’s doing this for Misha. I can’t tell him about Joy because no matter what she did, I don’t want to hurt Kyle that way.

Sometimes arrogance really is bliss.

It’s darker than usual, the moon in hiding, maybe too afraid of what it’s about to witness. I have on an oversized T-shirt, but nothing else. My hair is still wet.

I walk down the stairs, psyching myself up for what I have planned. Dutch’s music is always magical, it has the ability to transport any listener to another world. I cling on to that when I walk into the room and see Alanna sitting on the bench seat by the window, watching Dutch play.

I take a calming breath before walking over to him.

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