Rook’s jaw tightened slightly.
“Yes.”
My stomach turned violently.
Mercer knew Hersh loved me.
Knew we’d been torn apart.
And instead of killing one of us…
he let us live with it.
Sixteen years.
That was cruelty beyond revenge.
That was obsession.
Hersh went very still beside me.
Dangerously still.
“You’re telling me Mercer knew her father separated us…”
Rook held his gaze evenly.
“And used it.”
The room felt suffocating suddenly.
Because now even our heartbreakfelt violated.
Manipulated.
Observed.
Hersh looked away briefly.
And honestly?
That scared me more than his anger.
Because the pain in his face right then looked unbearable.
Rook noticed too.
Which was probably why his next words came quieter.
“Mercer thought pain would weaken you.”
Hersh’s eyes slowly lifted again.
Cold now.
Deadly calm.
“He was wrong.”
