rather go to prison than betray him?
Tve told you, Damian, I have nothing to do with him.”
He was so furious he was speechless. He just nodded, his jaw tight. “You think I won’t do it? You think I won’t send you to prison?
I just looked at him.
He shoved me away.
Three days later, I received a court summons.
The moment I pleaded guilty in court, I saw Sienna raise an eyebrow, a flicker of an ‘Iknew-it expression or her face. Only Darian’s face was a mask of stone-cold fury.
He’d hired the best lawyers, a team of sharks who picked through legal statutes and twisted my actions unti they’d stretched my sentence to the maximum: eight years.
He came to see me. “Testify for Lily. I can get you out of here.”
I just smiled at him. “Take care of yourself, Mr. Ashford.”
I probably won’t make it out of here alive.
His breath hitched, and a look of pure agony crossed his face. “You know! That night, it was just him and the two of you! You saw everything, didn’t you?”
I said nothing, which was its own confession.
In high school, when you could only afford one meal a day, it was Lily who shared her lunch money with you every single day. Have you forgotten all that?”
Tears streamed down my face. I shook my head. “No.”
Then why won’t you just say it?”
My eyes were red as I met his. “Not now.”
Do I have to die before you’re willing to talk?
shook my head again.
Not your death, Mine.
When I died, the killer would be brought to justice without me ever having to say a word. But I couldn’t tell
him that. I was afraid it would break him.
thought the truth would come out while I was in prison. But less than a month later, my sentence was over- turned. I was declared innocent and released, completely bewildered.
Damian was waiting for me outside, leaning against his Rolls-Royce.
16.06
16.06
Chapter ?
The drive home was silent. As we stepped through the door, I finally spoke.
“Thank you.”
He stopped but didn’t turn around. “You’re pathetic, Elara,” he said, before heading upstairs.
I laughed, but tears fell.
Sienna’s baby had been saved. Damian never brought her back to the house to flaunt in front of me again. We lived under the same roof, but we were strangers. If we passed in the hall, he’d look right through me. He refused to touch a single bite of the food I made.
I didn’t react. I just went on with my quiet routines.
Finally, after a month, he broke.
He knocked on my door, the smell of alcohol clinging to him. “We need to talk.” His eyes were rimmed with
red.
let him in. We sat down together, a rare moment of peace between us.
I’m begging you. Please, testify for Lily. Please?” His voice was low, stripped of all its usual authority. “If you agree, I’ll make Sienna get rid of the baby. I’ll even give you my assets, everything.”
I shook my head. “There’s no need.”
Who the hell is Rick to you?”
Rick. The monster who had killed Lily.
I’ve told you so many times. I have nothing to do with him.”
How am I supposed to believe that?” His eyes were bloodshot. “You’d protect the man who murdered Lily, a nan you claim is a stranger?”
looked him straight in the eye. “Damian, the day that baby is born, I promise you, you will know the truth.”
1 can’t wait another day!” he exploded, jumping to his feet. “Elara, if you don’t tell me everything right now,
we’re through!”
My heart clenched. The look on his face told me he wasn’t bluffing.
pressed my lips together and nodded. “Fine.”
The time I’d had with him…. it had been long enough. More than I deserved.
His breath caught. The hand gripping my shoulder began to tremble.
“Say that again.”
Let’s separate. It’s for the best.”
