Chapter 6
Truth Revealed
Gale Fears
If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. I still wasn’t sure that I believed it. Daniel? My best friend and my most trusted confidant was the one trying to ruin me? Everything had been his plan all along? I didn’t understand it. Why would he want to do this? What did he want? Why would he want to hurt me?
The CCTV footage from Erica’s restaurant was clear. Daniel meeting with Stella, they touched each other like lovers. Even without listening to their conversation, I wasn’t stupid enough to think that was just a friendly meet up! Stella was rubbing against Daniel’ thigh, and as I continued watching the footage, my heart just stopped. They were planning to destroy me. Hillary had been right about everything, and while a part of me still stung when I thought about her betrayal, hearing the reason behind it made me feel better. She did what she did to protect her friend. I wish she had told me or shared with me. I wish she had told me when Erica had been kidnapped. I could have helped her somehow. I could have gotten the police involved and saved Erica.
And yet, I knew I couldn’t blame her. Daniel was a cunning and devious man. I always knew that he was someone highly intelligent and capable of making strategies that would outclass anyone else. That was how he ended up being so successful. Even though he started off poor, with a single mother struggling to raise him, he managed to make a name for himself in the business world by thinking ahead and planning contracts that would benefit him. I just didn’t know he would use his intelligence to plan against me.But why?
“Where is she?” I asked, staring at the CCTV footage.
“Her parents,” Erica said softly.
“Thank you,” I said. “You are a good friend. No, you are agreatfriend to Hillary. Thank you for showing me this, and telling me the truth—”
“If you are just going to break her heart,” Erica said, “then just leave her alone. Just forget her and let her move on. She has suffered enough in her life with Joe and now, with you. If you are just going to hurt her, walk away.”
When she said those words, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I didn’t know what I planned on doing or how I was going to deal with things. I didn’t know if I should go to Hillary or if I should just walk away from her. After all, I was in some deep shit, and it seemed like there was no way out of it. Daniel had me completely screwed. I was trapped in his plan and there was very little I could do. Why take Hillary down with me? I should leave her be, let her move on, heal, grow, and eventually find someone who would truly love her. Why should I drag her into this mess with me? I was on a sinking ship and there was no reason to have her on board.
“Okay,” I said. “I guess I will let her be.”
∞∞∞
I didn’t plan on going to Hillary’s parents’ house. I certainly didn’t plan on approaching her and talking to her. I just wanted to see her for a few minutes, look at her, and feel her presence. I didn’t know what I wanted when I decided to lurk outside her parent’s place. All I knew was that I wanted to see her one more time before I disappeared from her life forever. I didn’t even want to talk. I just wanted to look at her, store her memory in my mind, and then let her go.
When she walked out of the house, wrapped in a shawl with a tired look on her face, I had hidden behind the wall, peering at her. I watched her standing there, taking a deep breath in. I memorized every inch of her, forever etching her in my memory so I would never forget her.
And just when I was about to leave, she pulled out her phone and called a number. Curious, I stayed behind, feeling guilty for eavesdropping and yet unable to stay away. What I heard next changed everything that I had been thinking. She was talking to Jack, trying to convince him to help me. Even after how I had hurt her and broken her heart, she was trying to save me. How could someone love so purely? How could she love me so entirely? Even after all I did, it was me she was thinking about.
How did I end up winning over the love of someone like her? How did I end up having someone as amazing as her in my life?
She turned around at that moment, and our eyes met. As I held her gaze, I knew I couldn’t leave her. I was going to have to fight the situation I was in and find a way to save myself and Hillary. I couldn’t just surrender and throw down my weapons. I had to fight. I had to do it for Hillary because she hadn’t given up yet. And I knew I couldn’t give her up either. I was going to fight to keep her, to make her mine. At that moment, I truly felt the extent of my feelings, and I knew that I loved her entirely.
I marched over to her, my heart racing in my chest and my body tingling with indescribable desire and sensations. I pulled her into my arms, ignoring the shocked look on her face, and did what I had wanted to do for a long time.
I kissed her. I held her tightly in my arms as I did. And this time, I promised to never let go.
