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Both men had lied to her. She didn’t know which one’s deception wounded her more.

“I hadn’t been certain… until now,” said Oliver. “Until I saw him.”

Her knuckles hurt from gripping the chair, but it was the only thing keeping her from collapsing. “You were driving, Roman?”

The man paled even more. “No. God, no. And I never left you to die, Oliver. You have to believe that. I’d never—” He exhaled slowly, waited a beat before continuing. “I was in Ireland, Addy. Kyle had convinced me to come with him last minute. I’d needed a break from work, so I tagged along. But I hadn’t seen him at all that day—not until he called me that night—sobbing, panicking. Said he crashed into a tree and needed a ride.” Roman glanced around the place. “Look, can we sit?”

Sitting sounded like a good idea. Her knees were about to buckle.

Oliver pulled out her chair before sinking into his own.

Roman took the seat across from Oliver. “I had no idea Kyle had hit anyone. I had the car we’d rented. I’ve no idea where he even got the car he was driving. But I came and got him. I smelled alcohol on him. It wasn’t until about ten minutes later, when we were away from there, that he confessed—said he hit someone. I convinced him to go back. I thought you were dead when I saw you. Your face—it wasn’t even there. Just blood and bone. If I didn’t see you breathing… I called the ambulance immediately.”

“You weren’t driving?” Oliver watched him with unnerving intensity.

“I drove him back to you. He didn’t want me to stay—said he had to face it alone. I shouldn’t have, but I waited for the sirens, and then I left.”

He left? He left Kyle with the man he almost killed? “Roman! How could you… And all this time, you never once corrected Kyle’s lie that he’d been sober.” The betrayal cut deep. She was used to being disappointed by her little brother, but never by Roman. It hurt worse.

“Because it’s Kyle. I don’t know. I thought it might destroy your relationship forever. The police did an investigation. I figured maybe he’d had a drink, but wasn’t drunk. They’d have charged him if he was, right?” He cursed. “I thought he’d shape up. And he did, for a while. He had Netta, and he’s great with her. I didn’t want her to lose her dad. I thought it was a wakeup call. Clearly, it wasn’t.”

“He paid off the investigator. I’m sure of it.”

Addison sought out Oliver’s hand like a lifeline, this man her brother had robbed and left to die. “He was—” Her voice cracked. “He was going to leave Oliver to die there. After stealing his watch.”

Oliver’s throat worked as he swallowed. “I barely remember that night, but snippets trickle in. You leaning over me. You cursing.”

Roman regarded Oliver with huge eyes. “I had no idea that he took your watch. He never even came near you when I was there.”

The waitress appeared out of nowhere. Setting down a stack of napkins, she smiled brightly at the group. “Sorry for the wait. What can I get you?” She must have noticed the tension at the table, because her smile faded and she took an immediate step back. “I’ll give you a minute.”

When the waitress left, Addison turned to Roman. “You had years to tell me that Kyle tried to leave him for dead.”

“I don’t have an excuse.”

No, he didn’t. She needed space—to go somewhere and think.

Oliver studied Roman across the table. “You weren’t in the car with him when he hit me?”

He was focused on that part of the story? Not the part about Roman leaving a dying man with the guy responsible? Not the part about him covering for Kyle?

“No, I wasn’t,” said Roman.

Oliver’s sharp exhale sent a paper napkin skidding across the table. “I’d assumed you were responsible.”

“They were both responsible,” cut in Addison. “Roman was a witness to a crime and he left. They robbed you of justice, Oliver. Kyle got off scot-free because Roman didn’t stick around to talk to the cops.”

“I regret that. Every single day.”

Not good enough. “You fucking should. I can’t believe you’d do that.”

Oliver’s hand settled on her knee. “You sent Addison into my home instead of facing me yourself.”

“Not because I was worried you’d recognize me. Your face was all meat and bone. I didn’t know until now that you could even see me. Mandy and I tried to talk her out of going to you, but it was impossible.”

“Why keep it a secret all this time?” asked Addison, interlacing her fingers with Oliver’s.

Roman bowed his head. “I met Mandy a few months after the accident. I finally had the life I wanted, and every time Kyle needed money, he’d threaten to lie and tell her that I was the one driving and he took the fall. There were no witnesses. It was his word against mine. I had no choice. I stayed quiet, and paid him.”