She hesitates. “Almost.”
“Do you think Elliot is your soulmate?”
My question knocks her back a step, and her eyes turn to slits. “We’re not children. That’s a silly notion, and you’re overstepping.”
“Liv,” I stop her before she slams the door in my face. “I just need to know if it was all worth it.”
“If what was worth it?”
“Making you live your life without me.”
Her lips part, and a ghost of agony crosses her face before the door slams closed.
* * *
11.5 years ago…
My court-appointed lawyer keeps telling me to keep my head down, act cool, and not to show them I have a temper.
But all I can think about is his hands on her. A grown man touching my Olive.
I laid awake in my jail cell last night thinking about it.
I think about every conversation I’ve had with Liv the past few months and why she didn’t tell me about her teacher.
I wasn’t able to protect her from it, not until it was too late.
The correction officers told me that she tried to visit me, but she’s a minor and not a relative, so they turned her away.
I couldn’t face her anyway.
I was only brave enough to call her once. To tell her to stay away from me.
“Hayes, I’m here.” Her voice whispers over my shoulder,and my eyes squeeze shut.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I grit through my teeth without turning around. Not here, in this courtroom, with the shame I feel. I can’t stomach looking at her.
The girl I’m about to lose.
“Please, Hayes. I’m so sorry. I messed up. This is all my fault.”
“Don’t. Don’t ever say that. This isn’t your fault. It’s Mr. Arkett’s fault, and mine,” I argue, barely turning my head.
“Nothing happened. Please, you have to believe me.” I hear the tears in her voice, but I still can’t look at her. It’s too painful.
I failed her.
My lawyer silences whatever else she’s about to say with a look, and I fight the urge to punch him.
I’m a fucking mess.
“Go home, Liv,” I dismiss over my shoulder as the judge enters. “Go!”
I know she doesn’t leave. I would feel the air shift if she did. My self-hatred boils to an all-time high as they talk through my charges in front of the entire room.
My juvie record is sealed because I’m an adult, but they know me here. They’re familiar with my reputation, and they know who my father is. The man sitting on the opposite side of the room is ensuring that I get what’s coming to me.
It hurts worse that my mother chose to sit beside him.
