Chapter 101
LUCY
How could I have been so dumb?
Entering my password with April near me. I didn’t deserve what was happening to me—no one did!—but I’d brought it on myself.
I had been right. I didn’t have street smarts, and it was now going to cost me my life. I didn’t really see a way out of it. I was in handcuffs, and April had every possible advantage.
I tried not to imagine my parents receiving a text saying I’d decided to take my own life. It was too painful. I wanted to cry every time I thought of it.
I’m so sorry, Mom and Dad.
I never thought it would come to this.
“It’s about that time, Lucy. Let me just compose a little something for your parents first. I’m going to keep this one short and sweet. After I killed Eddie, I might have been a little long-winded in my text to Mark. Whoever the fuck that is.”
So she did kill Eddie. Not that I was in the least bit surprised.
A minute later, she leaned the phone back for me to read. I couldn’t bear to look at it.
“Fine, I’ll read it aloud,” April said.
“Mom and Dad, you know how much I love you guys. So I’m very sorry for what I’m about to do.
I’ve been lying to you since Eddie died.
I killed him because he was making a mockery of our marriage.
But now I can no longer live with myself.
I’m tired of the lying. That’s why I have to do what I’m about to do. I’m sorry.”
I couldn’t take it. I imagined my mother’s face when she woke up tomorrow morning and saw this text.
I wanted to scream, but my face was covered in duct tape. I wanted to cover my ears, but my hands were cuffed behind my back. I was defenseless in every sense of the word.
“I guess that’s a bit of a long text,” April said. “But not too long compared to your average suicide note.”
She laughed again.
My entire being wanted to cry, but I had to stay strong.