Cain’s voice drops to a gravel tone. “You gave them what they gave you. But cleaner. Smarter. And permanent.”
And then something happens inside me, something I didn’t expect. I laugh.
It’s not light. It’s not warm. It’s sharp, cracked at the edges, like it’s been buried for years. My hand comes to my mouth, almost in disbelief.
“Holy shit,” I whisper. “You really did it.”
“I told you,” Cain says, standing now, walking around the desk. “They all paid.”
I lean back, still stunned, still trying to absorb thefucked-up poetryof it all.
These men, the ones who watched me get torn apart had no idea their time would come. That I’d walk out, and one by one,take everything from them.
I should feel guilt.
But I don’t.
I feelright. I feel like the pain I carried in silence didn’t go unheard. I feel like someone finally choseme.
“You’re a sick bastard,” I say, grinning, wiping a hand down my face. “And I fucking love you for it.”
Cain smirks. “Took you long enough to say it.”
I shake my head, sitting in silence for a while, my heart still racing with that electric blend of vengeance and disbelief.
I sit there in silence not sure what to say to him, I have no words. Even now Cain is looking out for me, and I can’t say thank you enough to him. But I also know not to say thank you for it, because that will piss him off.
I stand up to leave but stop when Cain calls my name. “I’ll always have your back no matter what. But remember, Hayden,even soldiers need something to live for.” Not saying anything, I give him a nod and leave his office and call it a night.
Twenty-Three
Olivia
2 days after prom.
I curl up in bed, clutching the pillow like it might hold me together, but it’s not. I’m breaking, piece by piece. My chest hurts, my head is pounding, and no matter how many times I whisper, “I’m sorry,” it’s not enough. It will never be enough. I betrayed Hayden. My best friend. The only boy who ever saw me without trying to change me, was my friend even though we came from different parts of the world.
And I lied to him.
I sold his freedom to save my mom. I hate the people who forced my hand, who cornered me until my only way out was through him. I hated the way they smiled while they broke us. The way they reminded me that my mother’s life wasn’t guaranteed, but Hayden’s downfall, that was something they could ensure.
I scream into the pillow, tears soaking into the fabric. I’ve lost him. Not just his smile, his laugh, the comfort of his arms. I lost the future I pictured for years.
I destroyed us. And the worst part? He’ll never know why.
PRESENT DAY
The class is finished finally, and all I can feel is Hayden’s eyes on me.
I’m not sure which is worse, the silent treatment or if he keeps being mean to me. At least when he is being mean he’s talking to me. I miss him.
I wait for the classroom to clear, keeping my head down, my books pressed tight to my chest. The less people who talk to me the better, I’ve been staying out of Abigail's way. Jen is the person I don’t want to be around. Listening to her talking about her relationship with Hayden, and what an amazing boyfriend he is. He can’t be that amazing, he kissed me. So, as far as I’m concerned she’s just a whore for him.
Once the class is empty I grab my bag and make my way to my car, hoping no one stops me. As I walk through I feel a group watching me, it can only be one of two groups. Hayden’s or Leo’s.
Four months, that's all I have left. Well, that's what I keep telling myself, but it’s not helping me at all. Four months is a long time in a place you don’t want to be, it can feel like four years.
I make it to the parking lot without a word from anyone, and slide into the driver’s seat. The silence in the car is a relief until I see the note I crumbled up and threw on the passenger seat.
