How foolish I was… Alicia scoffed bitterly, a hollow laugh slipping from her lips.

  How could I have been so na?ve? So pathetic—crying over a liar? Handing him my heart as if it meant nothing?

  “Then you need me, Alicia,” she remembered him saying, his fingers tilting her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

  Tears had glistened in his eyes as he whispered, “Let me help you heal, Alicia. Give me a chance. This isn’t charity or pity—it’s love. I love you.”

  His voice had trembled with emotion. “I love everything about you—your heart, your soul, your flaws. You are special, no matter what has happened. And I don’t care about anything else.” His breath had hitched. “Just trust me when I say this: I love you, Alicia.”

  Alicia wished she could slap herself for believing him.

  She had collapsed into his arms when he lied to her—sobbing, clinging, burying her face in his chest.

  “Do you know what I’ve been wanting to tell you so badly?” she had asked, her voice quivering.

  “I... I... love you, Jeff.”

  He had pulled her close, his lips capturing hers in a kiss. And like a fool, she had responded—wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him as if she could melt into him.

  Her mind drifted to Wilson—the day he had struck her wound, the day he had smeared her pain across her face like mud.

  And Jeff… This isn’t charity or pity—it’s love.

  He should have just told her the truth. That he pitied her.

  Because deep down, she knew—no one would ever truly want a girl with a past like hers. A girl shattered by her own father.

  Alicia squeezed her eyes shut, forcing the memories away.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Enough, Alicia… she scolded herself, but the tears still escaped, trickling down her cheeks.

  Why did she feel this way? As if he still mattered?

  She quickly wiped her tears away with the back of her hand.

  You don’t have much time left, Alicia… she reminded herself, hardening her resolve.

  They all deserved to die.

  She had planned it carefully—every single one of them who betrayed her. The knife was already in her purse, waiting for the perfect moment.

  When she joined Alena in the car, she felt its weight against her side. The opportunity was there—she could end Alena in an instant.

  But she hesitated.

  Maybe because she wanted to know about these so-called secrets. Maybe because a part of her wasn’t ready.

  Now, she was alone with Jeff.

  This was her chance.

  No police. No family. No one to stop her.

  She could be reckless. Yes.

  Yet, she hesitated—not just hesitated, but let herself drown in memories, her heart aching with the weight of her own betrayal.

  Instead of plunging the knife into him, she had the ridiculous urge to lash out—to slap him, kick him, call him every foul name she could think of… and then collapse in his arms and cry, like she always did.

  No. No, Alicia. Her fingers curled around her purse, nails digging into the leather. Don’t you dare think such useless thoughts.

  The car slowed, rolling to a stop under a massive tree. Jeff unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to her.

  “Get down,” he said quietly, pushing open his door and stepping into the night.

  Alicia gritted her teeth, her pulse hammering. She closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly.

  Then, she opened the door and stepped out.

  She frowned, scanning her surroundings.

  The place was eerily silent. No houses. No huts. No cottages. No signs of life—just a graveyard, stretching across from the tree.

  A chill crept up her spine. She stiffened, fingers tightening around her purse.

  “Graveyard?” The word left her lips in a trembling whisper.

  A fresh wave of betrayal struck her chest.

  No… he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t do this to me. Not Jeff.

  But a voice slithered into her thoughts.

  Do you really think you matter to him? Why wouldn’t he be cruel? Do you think he’s happy you survived?

  Jeff sighed and turned to her, his eyes studying her carefully. His jaw tightened, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.

  “I’m not here to hurt you,” he said softly, extending a hand toward her. “I brought you here to show you something. Trust me, Alicia.” His voice wavered, almost pleading.

  She met his gaze, searching for deception. But all she saw was sincerity.

  Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his, feeling the tension in her shoulders loosen just slightly.

  Am I trusting him?

  But before she could pull away, his grip tightened—not forcefully, but enough to make her heart stutter. His hand trembled slightly, as though he, too, was trying to summon courage.

  Don’t wonder. Alicia bit her lip, eyes locked on him. Just be careful. He has deceived you too much with those eyes.

  Dear Readers,

  Oyinade Olawoyin