Chapter 359
“Helping with what?” I asked. “And Chloe’s been smoking weed since high school.” A bitter memory stabbed through me. “I covered for her. Lied for her. Got another student suspended because of her p>
“I know.” His voice softened. “But weed wasn’t enough anymore. She was scared. Paranoid. She couldn’t sleep. Her anxiety p>
“Was this before or after you faked her disappearance? ” I snapped, letting him know I was aware of that and that I wasn’t letting it slide.
Zane hesitated, glancing at Roman like he was trying to gauge how fast he could run before Roman broke his spine. Smart of him. Roman
didn’t look in the mood to let anyone run.
He winced. “After she moved here. But listen – your sister had PTSD. It was really really bad. That’s when she started doing the harder stuff. I got it for her the first time because she hadn’t slept in three days. She was shaking. Crying. I didn’t know what else to do. But I
never meant for it to become a daily thing- ”
Roman cut him off sharply. “What did you expect when you gave her the first one? That she’d take it once and magically be fine? How
stupid are you p>
“I said I didn’t know,” Zane hissed. “I was trying to help her sleep. When she asked me for another hit, I refused because of the baby. And because I could tell she was getting dependent. But I didn’t realize that if she didn’t get it from me that she’d get it from someone else.
And that someone else was Paula p>
My stomach dropped. “Your sister kept giving her drugs even though she was pregnant? What is wrong with you people p>
“I had nothing to do with that,” Zane said quickly. “The pregnancy was mine. Why would I hurt my own child p>
“Well, you tell me!” I snapped.
His eyes flickered with something dark. “Paula is the one to blame for the miscarriage p>
Everything in me froze. Miscarriage. Not abortion. Not “ getting rid of it. ” Miscarriage.
My breath stuttered. “What do you mean miscarriage? Chloe told me she got rid of the baby. And now you’re saying she miscarried p>
Zane frowned at me like he couldn’t understand how I didn’t know. “Chloe didn’t get rid of the baby, Savannah. She lost it because of
Paula p>
My throat closed. “What are you talking about?” My voice cracked. “Those bruises on her body, are they from Paula? Chloe has bruises,
Zane p>
He rubbed both hands over his face, rough palms scraping against stubble. “Paula has anger issues. Serious ones. When Chloe started messing with her, I told her it was a bad idea. I warned her. My sister … She’s not a good person to be around. The drugs were how Paula kept Chloe close. She gives her what she wants, and Chloe stays hooked. ”
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Chapter 359
“And you just stood there and let it happen? ” I demanded. “You let her lose your child? ”
“I wasn’t home when Chloe lost the baby,” he said quietly. “I was right here, working. By the time I got back, it was too late. The damage was done. And the worst part? Chloe didn’t feel anything. Not physically. Not emotionally. She was too high p>
A scream clawed at my throat. Before I could think, I surged forward and grabbed his collar. “Why did Paula do that? Why did your sister hurt her? Why did she hurt the baby? Why drag Chloe into your messed–up sibling war p>
He pulled free, stumbling back. Roman moved instantly–one step forward, placing himself between us, his hand steady on my arm, but his eyes locked on Zane with enough silent threat to make him flinch.
Zane dragged a hand through his hair. “It’s more than a rivalry, Savannah. Paula and I… we got into some shit. Rough shit. Dangerous shit. And it blew up. I was lucky to get out in one piece. I tried to leave everything behind. But Paula didn’t. She stayed in it and went
down for it. And now she’s trying to punish me by hurting the things I care about p>
Roman’s head tilted slightly, the shift subtle but predatory. “What shit did you get into with your sister? ”
Zane swallowed. The room seemed to hold its breath. And I felt it–something shifting. Something big. Something terrible.
The truth was finally bleeding through the cracks.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.