Page 138 of No Greater Oblivion

“I don’t know. Ask her next time you see her.”

34

BETRAYAL RUNS DEEP

Dahlia

The Past

Iwalk back to the lobby in a daze.

From down the hall, I can see Lettie asleep on one of the hospital chairs with her head resting on Alejandro’s shoulder. Her knees are tucked against her chest and the long, flowing layers of her emerald-green dress cover her legs like a blanket. Lyss speaks in hushed tones to Diego but I can’t find the one person I’m looking for. It isn’t until a pair of nurses and a doctor walk away from the vending machine do I see Brent. He hits the glowing buttons on the number pad and waits for the machine to dispense a water bottle.

He must feel me coming because he looks over. When our gazes meet, his voice trembles as he says, “Is she okay? What did the doctor⁠—?”

“Did you do it?”

They’re the first words out of my mouth. I can’t take them back.

The water bottle hits the bottom of the machine with a bang. Brent almost leaps out of his own skin.

“W-w-w—” He pauses. Swallows. “What?”

My heart is racing. He wouldn’t have.

He couldn’t.

“Brent.”

He tries grabbing his water bottle but I slam it out of his hand. His eyes are wide as saucers when they meet mine.

“Did. You. Do. It.”

He’s panting now. Sweating, shaking, trembling. At what point does fury replace the fear and apprehension inside of me? Perhaps it’s the moment he finally opens his mouth and whispers, “It was an accident.”

“Accident?”

“I…she got out. But…but I didn’t know. I slammed the door—no, it slipped—it happened so⁠—”

I push him hard and he trips over his feet, landing against the vending machine behind him. The noise finally captures people’s attention and from where Diego is seated, he’s the only one who doesn’t have his back to us. He gets up and approaches in quick, long strides.

“What’s going on?”

“Say it again.” Brent tries to move away but I push him again—harder this time. The machine rattles behind him. “You sick son of a bitch…how could you?”

“It was an accident,” he defends.

Diego goes very, very still.

“What is he talking about?”

My eyes well with tears. Anger like I’ve never known turns my vision red. I could kill him.

I could actually kill him.

Brent’s beady eyes narrow to slits as he takes in Diego with a scorching glare. “I’m beginning to find your interest where my wife is involved, a little concerning.”

“No more concerning than what will happen to you if you don’t answer my question.” Diego’s voice rumbles like a roar, coming from deep within his chest. “What was an accident?”