I launched off the seat, falling into his arms.
He squeezed the mess out of me. “I’m not going to lie. What you did—letting that psychopath into the school, and then keeping quiet when you knew your cousin was framed—it was a terrible thing to do. A lot of people were hurt over some mean girl’s vendetta, and that matters. Your cousin, your mother, Colin, and his family all deserved so much better.”
This didn’t hurt me. After all, I agreed with every single word.
“But all of that said,” he murmured softly, “I’m really happy you told me. You’re right, Sue. A marriage that’s going to last can’t be built on a mountain of resentment and lies. For the first time in seven years, I feel like I’m finally getting to know you—and this person is so much more wonderful than the woman I first met.”
I buried my face in his chest, fighting a smile. It was wrong to be happy when we were discussing something so sad, but I couldn’t help it. I felt it too.
The Micah I fell for was an illusion. A little teenage crush roasting on spit flamed by hormones. But the real Micah? The guy who loved dirty jokes, old British comedies, having tea parties with Lily, and snuggling with me even when I was covered in vomit? I loved that guy so much more now too.
We were quiet for a long time, just holding each other.
“I guess this means I’m a big flaming idiot who should’ve told the cops right away that I saw Mrs. Finley wandering around our home uninvited.”
“Big-time on the uninvited,” I mused, resting my chin on his shoulder. “None of us sent her an invitation.”
“It’s suspicious for sure, but do you really think she had something to do with your mother’s murder? Or Mrs. Prado?” Micah drew back, capturing my gaze in his swirling pools. “If she was going to fly into a rage and kill someone, wouldn’t she have done that ten years ago? And if she did want someone dead, why in the hell would she go after your mom? Omma had nothing to do with what happened to her son, and Mrs. Prado had even less than nothing to do with it.”
I nodded slowly. “Those are very true statements.”
“Could something have changed?” he asked. “Could she have found out the truth somehow? That Sarang was framed, and someone else put her son in a wheelchair for the rest of his life? Maybe Mrs. Finley thought there was a cover-up and Omma was involved.” Micah’s brows crumpled. “Who was it anyway? Who was really behind the prank?”
“She was a sad, broken bitch who died in a car accident. She’s dead and Sarang’s gone—leaving only me who knew the truth of what happened that day, and I certainly didn’t tell Mrs. Finley anything different from what she was told,” I said. “Which is why I’m just as curious as to what brought her to our home that night of all nights.”
“We’ll tell the police first thing in the morning—”
“No,” I said instantly.
“No?” He gave me a wild look. “Why not? Whether or not she had murderous intentions, she never should’ve been here in the first place. At the very least the cops need to know that someone got past all the guards, and if Mrs. Finley did, the real killer could’ve too.”
My head bobbed along to every word. “I agree with all of that, but I need to talk to Mrs. Finley before we sic Dumb, Dumber, and Dumbass on her. My family has caused hers enough pain. I’m not going to accuse her of murder without at least giving her a chance to explain what she was doing here.”
“And I’m sure you also know that you’re not going to talk to her alone. It’s too dangerous,” he added when he saw the look on my face. “We’re dealingwith a bold and violent killer. Don’t think I won’t give you a phone with a tracking app too, woman.”
Cracking a smile, I nipped his nose. “No tracking devices needed for me. I’ll ask Alex to go with me,” I heard myself say. “We can drop Lily to school and then go straight to Mrs. Finley’s house. Find out what she was doing here. After we settle all of that, I’ll go straight to the police station and bail out Officer Cop-A-Feel. That fucking dick.”
Micah busted up. “What is this beef you have with our local beat cops? At this rate, the next time we have an emergency, they’re going to stop for coffee and donuts on the way over.”
I scoffed. “That would not surprise me. I’m basically solving my mother’s murder on my own to stop them putting my innocent best friend away for the rest of her life, so why not get used to doing their job for them?”
“Not on your own, baby.” Micah kissed me sweet and slow until my toes curled. “Never on your own.”
“WELCOME, HONORED GUESTSand esteemed alumni.”
Bright blinding lights shone in the auditorium, blinding one and all—if there even was an all. I couldn’t see anyone to the left or right of me. All I could see—standing at the podium—was the clown.
“We’re happy to have you, Sarang Kim.” The clown latched on me, grinning that grotesque grin. “And have you I will—always!”
“Omma,” I screamed. “He’s there! The clown’s right there! Help me!” Chains lashed around my arms, chest, and legs—binding me to the seat. “Omma, help me!”
“Enough!” Omma’s voice roared through the auditorium. “Enough of your lies! There is no clown! There never was a clown!”
“He’s right there, please!” Tears soaked my face. “Please, believe me—”
The floor opened up beneath my feet, plunging me—chair and all into the darkness.
“Ahh!” I tumbled out of bed, hitting the floor with my face and shoulder.
