Page 109 of You'll Be Sorry

“You’re very predictable in your defensiveness.”

God, she wished he’d reach out a hand, close the distance, something, anything. She trembled slightly, hated herself for the weakness, but couldn’t seem to stop.

“Tell me,” Theo demanded. “Give me just one reason to believe we’re real, that your secrets are all about your past and not our present.”

Raquel opened her mouth to argue that she’d never actually lied to him, that she hadn’t just changed her name all those years ago—she’d committed to the whole-new-you program and built the life they shared now.

But what actually came out was a choked sob, and a single terrible truth even she couldn’t bear to confront: “It’s all my fault. She said at the very end, ‘Now you’re just like me.’ And I am. I’ve killed my babies, too.”

Theo broke; he’d never been able to stand seeing her in pain. But it didn’t matter, because she was already lost as he pulled her into his arms and cradled her head against his chest.

“Oh, honey.”

“You should leave me. I understand. I come from evil, I am evil. Your parents were right to warn you off.”

“Don’t. Just don’t.”

“You fear my lies. I fear your pity. What kind of relationship is that?”

“Shhh…”

“You can’t tell me the sex is that good.”

“I don’t have to, because you already know it is.”

She cried harder. She was gutted, hollowed out. She’d truly believed she’d moved on, and she truly hadn’t. Turns out, can’t outrun DNA. Goddammit.

“I would kill her,” she gasped now. “I would kill her all over again. But I also just want it to be over. Why the hell can’t that bitch die already!”

Theo stroked her hair.

“Lilly should’ve made it. I thought at least I’d rescued her, but no. Mama was like that. Sunk in her claws and held on tight. God, why didn’t I do the deed sooner? I promised Lilly and Charlie Boy so many times. I promised!”

Theo held her tighter.

“And I’m a fucking wreck! I hate this. I like being cold and logical. It’s so much more efficient. If this is how the rest of the world lives, no wonder people are such a mess.”

A low chuckle.

The heat of him, the solid wall of his chest, the tight band of his arms. God, it felt so good. If they stood like this long enough, she’d win. They both knew it. Theo could never say no to a damsel in distress. So he’d stay in this marriage, not because it was the right choice for him, but because it wasn’t in his nature to hurt others.

Opposites attract, right? Someone in the cosmos had to be having one helluva fucking laugh right now.

As for her, the person who always did what needed to be done, regardless of the price…

She pulled away. Wiped furiously at her eyes, her snotty nose. Attempted a steadying breath.

“I’m sorry. I just…I’m sorry.”

Theo let her go, taking a step back himself. “It’s not your fault.” Gently, he tilted up her chin. “You can’t keep blaming yourself for everything. Your mother, your siblings, our recent heartbreak. You have always been one of the strongest, toughest women I know. But you still don’t control the universe. Your mother should’ve protected you. Failing that, the police should’ve. Or the schools, doctors, any one of the various adults around. I’m sorry that didn’t happen. I hate that you had to go through all that. But also, quite selfishly, I’m grateful for any road that brought you to me.”

“Now you’re being ridiculous.”

“We’re going to figure this out.”

She shook her head.

Theo continued, tone firm. “Let’s start by focusing on the here and now. The information posted on the community forum is correct, obviously. Meaning more and more people are going to know your story.”