Chapter Fifty-Eight
Irvin
Lilac took forever to get the popcorn. She sits next to me, placing the bowl on the table.
Her shoulders are stiff, and she’s still like a statue.
Something’s wrong. When I walked into the bedroom earlier, she looked spooked—terrified.
I knew pretending to drown would push her, but I had no idea how much it fucked with her.
I just wanted to see if she would admit she’s in love with me.
The way she kept trying to push me, to study me.
I knew what she was doing the entire time.
“You ready to watch the show, my love?” I ask.
Her eyes are unfocused, stuck in a daze. She turns to me. Her face is pale, like she’s seen a ghost, and her hands shake. I slide my fingers between hers. Her eyes widen in horror, but she squeezes my fingers tight.
Her gaze meets mine. She blinks—once. Twice. I stroke her chin, but she moves away.
Tears leak down her face. She sobs uncontrollably.
“What’s wrong, my love?” I whisper.
She looks up at me, studying my face, but she doesn’t speak.
“Are you okay? I’m worried.”
She pulls away.
“You smell like iron.”
“Iron?”
Her phone pings. She looks down, reads the message, then glances back at me.
“You did it,” she snaps.
I cock an eyebrow. “Did what?”
She disappears from the bedroom, and I’m on her heels. She opens the closet door—the room is trashed. Broken glass and clothes litter the floor. She’s had a meltdown.
“Why would—” I start.
She slowly opens the box in her hand. I glance down at the IDs. Confusion hits, then realization crashes over me. She’s holding the victims’ IDs—every student who died on campus. I grab the IDs from her. There’s no way she’s the killer.
“H-how did you get these?” I ask. “We need to get rid of them. If anyone finds them, they’ll pin the murders on you.”
I’ll protect her from the American Billionaire Club. I’ll fight them with my last breath.
“You didn’t tell anyone you have these, right?”
She watches me like a hawk.
“From your dresser,” she says. “At the bottom. Are you still doing this shit, Irvin?”
“Doing what?” I ask.
“You killed those innocent people. You told me you only kill anyone who threatens you.” She shoves her finger against my chest. “Why? Why would you kill them? Why attack Winter?” Tears slip down her cheeks. “You fucked with my mind. You made me think I was hallucinating. You sent me messages.”
I freeze.
“D-do you really think I did it?” I ask.
The fear in her stormy pupils tells me everything. She doesn’t respond for a long moment.
“Why?” she whispers. “Why did you kill those innocent people?”
Fuck. Not her. Anyone but her. I can’t handle her believing I did this. Anyone else could accuse me—but not my wife. I’ll do anything to wipe the disappointment and terror from her eyes.
“I didn’t kill them,” I say.
“How did the IDs get there? They didn’t magically appear, Irvin.”
“Baby, I didn’t do it.”
She shoves me. “You’re just like him. Like Emerson. Killing with no remorse. I hate you! I never want to see your face again!”
I try to pull her into my arms, but she shoves me away.
“You have to believe me!”
“I don’t!”
The doorbell rings. We freeze. She lets the tears fall.
“Who is that?” I ask.
“I had to do what I had to do.”
“What the fuck did you do, my love?”
“Don’t call me your love! You monster!” Her words cut through me like a blade.
A hollow ache sinks into my chest. I rub my face.
Tears streak her cheeks. “It’s Snow. I told him what I found.”
The door bursts open. Snow storms in, guards in black suits behind him. I place my hands behind my back.
Lilac. My Lilac. What have you done?
I’m supposed to protect her. She’s supposed to trust me. I’m lost for words. The disgust in her eyes makes my stomach turn. It breaks something in me. For the first time, my heart splinters into tiny pieces.
She thinks I can hurt her. After everything I did to keep her safe from the real killer, she doesn’t see me. Doesn’t love me anymore.
I failed the most important person in my life.
The guards read me my rights and the clauses I supposedly broke within the club. Snow grabs my shirt.
“You piece of shit,” he snaps. He punches me in the gut. “Get this piece of shit out of here.”
They haul me toward the door. I drag my feet, trying to turn toward Lilac.
“Let me say goodbye to my wife,” I plead.
I’m going to die. They’ll execute me. Her face is all I want to see. I memorize every inch—her mole, her warm brown skin, full lips, curly lavender hair. I want her to remember my last words.
Lilac wraps her arms around herself, staring at the guards. Tears and snot mar her face.
“Fine,” Snow snaps. “Thirty seconds.”
They move me toward her.
“My Lilac,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Someone planted those on me.”
She flinches.
“Please… just go,” she says quietly. Her words stab me straight through the heart.
“I will never put myself in a position to be apart from you. I…” I pause. “I love you, Lilac. I would die for you. I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”
She finally looks at me. Hate brims in her eyes. My heart sinks further.
“Snow… take him away.”
“Time’s up,” Snow says.
They drag me toward the car owned by the American Billionaire Club.
The real threat is still out there, and I can’t protect her. She thinks she’s safe—but she’s not. I feel completely powerless. My hands go numb. My jaw locks. I grind my teeth.
I exhale. I didn’t show her the extent of how much I love her. I didn’t prove it enough. I need a plan. I need to get back to her. Who can I ask for help? I can’t get out alone.
When we pull up to Tartarus, I swallow thickly. The metal building looms—windowless, cold.
One guard opens the door. I step out. The harsh rain slams into my face.
“I need to make a phone call.”