Page 54 of His Wicked Revenge

Veronica remains silent, her chest racing from the story. She asks no questions nor says anything between the pauses in my story.

“She told me she wanted a life with me. With that image in my mind, I gave in and helped her escape.” I set the cup down harshly on the table. “Turns out she was a bitch who only thought about herself. Betrayed me with a knife to the stomach and ran off without me.”

“That’s enough,” Chloe snaps.

I glance over at her, tears brimming in her eyes. I swallow hard, hating that it brought these emotions to the surface for her.

Myles reaches over the table, takes her hand, and rubs his thumb against hers. I apologize, dropping my eyes to the table before looking at Veronica. She parts her lips, wetting them before she speaks.

“Maybe she wasn’t just thinking about herself,” she tells me, and I hate that her voice is sincere. “Maybe she was protecting you in her own way.”

She’s lying.

I clench my teeth together as the voice speaks the truth, and I feel Myles's eyes on me when I say, “Maybe.”

Chloe dabs at her tears with a napkin, and I take the opportunity to calm myself by looking out the window. As soon as I do, my attention gets caught on a woman—she is older, has white hair, and is almost unrecognizable without her scrubs.

I scan my wide eyes to Veronica, whose brows dip in confusion until she turns to look out the window. She immediately whips her head back, fear laced in her eyes.

“Will you guys excuse me for a moment?” I stand from my seat, not waiting for their response as I leave the cafe.

The woman is looking at a table full of old books, unaware of my presence.

“Edith?”

Her eyes lift from the book she was looking at, and she rotates her head to look at me. She squints over her glasses.

“Leo?”

I smile a little, worrying that she will yell at me or not want to speak with me at all after everything I’ve done.

Instead, she grins from ear to ear and wraps her arms around me for a hug. The instant relief rushes through my body.

“Oh, it’s so good to see you!” She pulls away from me, placing a hand on my face. “You look great, Leo.”

“Me? Edith, you age like fine wine.” It’s true. Although years have passed since I’ve seen her, she looks the same. She lightly pats my face before dropping her hand. “I wanted to apologize. For everything.”

She shakes her head, waving a hand in the air. “You don’t have to apologize, sweetheart. I don’t blame you at all.”

“It wasn’t all Veronica’s fault.”

“I don’t care whose fault it was. She took advantage of your kindness.” She offers a sympathetic smile. “You don’t have to give me all the details, Leo. I’m on your side, no matter what. I miss you. The asylum isn’t the same without you.”

“I wish there was a way for me to come back. I miss you and helping those in need.”

“What are you doing now?”

“Working at a car shop my dad owns.” I comb my hand through my hair. “I lost my license to work with patients.”

“I am so sorry, Leo. You are a great doctor and didn’t deserve any of this.” She takes my hand in hers.

“Thank you, Edith.” I smile tightly. “How is Scarlett doing? The last thing I heard was she was recovering in the hospital from what Veronica did.”

“She recovered, but she never returned to the asylum. As much as she loved her job, I think Veronica almost killing her was the last straw.”

“I don’t blame her.”

“Neither do I,” Edith says, scanning my face. “Boy, do I miss having your handsome face around.”