KIERA'S POV
I sit on the edge of my bed, hugging my knees to my chest, trying to force my breathing to settle.
It doesn't.
My palms are cold and damp, and my heart keeps jumping in my chest like it wants to escape. I heard a voice outside a few minutes ago. I couldn't make out the words, but I recognized the tone.
Low.
Familiar.
Wrong.
A sharp knock hits my door before Lara pushes it open without waiting for me to answer. She steps inside with that impatient look she wears whenever something inconveniences her.
Her face is tight with annoyance, not concern.
It never is concern.
"Kiera," she says in a whisper that sounds like a hiss. "Alex is here."
My stomach drops so fast I feel dizzy.
"What? Why?"
She shrugs as if the answer should be obvious. "He came to see you. And I don't want him coming into the living room when I have important guests here. So go outside and meet him before he causes any trouble."
I shake my head immediately. "I can't. I don't want to see him."
Her brows pull together. "What do you mean you don't want to see him? Then do you want him to come inside and create a scene? Do you want him to stand in front of my visitors and start shouting or, God forbid, lay his hands on you in front of my guests? Is that what you want?"
I flinch, and she notices - but she still doesn't care. She just sighs, like I'm being difficult on purpose.
"He said he just wants to talk and promised he won't cause a scene," she continues, as if that has ever been true. "So stop being dramatic. Go outside before you embarrass me."
Embarrass her.
I scoff.
She leaves before I can say anything else.
*****
My legs feel weak as I force myself to stand, and my fingers tremble uncontrollably as I walk through the back door, not wanting the visitors to see me.
When I step outside, he's standing near the gate, hands in his pockets, staring at the house as if he owns it.
His eyes shift the moment he sees me, and he smiles. Warm, gentle, practiced. The kind of smile that always means danger with him.
"Kiera," he says softly before pulling me into a hug.
The world closes in.
His scent suffocates me.
My chest tightens, and I push him away as quickly as I can. He stares at me, amused, like my fear entertains him.
I pull him farther from the gate, trying to avoid Lara's guests seeing anything.
He tilts his head, studying me. "Are you upset to see me? You should be smiling instead. Come on."
He raises his hands and reaches forward, placing two fingers on each corner of my mouth, forcing them upward.
Humiliation burns through me.
I jerk back, removing his hands from my face. "Don't."
His smile fades - but only slightly.
"You know," he says, "you were a very bad girl for reporting me. Good wives don't report their husbands for scolding them."
"We're not married," I whisper. My voice barely comes out.
He ignores that.
"Look," he murmurs, stepping behind me. "I got you something special."
He reaches into his coat and pulls out a small velvet box.
When he opens it, a delicate silver necklace sits inside.
Before I can step away, he moves behind me and slips it around my neck.
"No, Alex. Stop."
His fingers brush my neck as he clasps it. My whole body locks up.
"There," he breathes. "Beautiful. It looks good on you."
He walks around until he's facing me again. His fingers grip my chin, lifting it, forcing my face upward.
"When your husband gives you something special, you smile and say you love it."
I knock his hand away again - harder this time.
His expression changes instantly.
The slap comes so fast I don't even see it.
My cheek burns as I fall to the ground, dust sticking to my palms and knees.
For a moment, everything spins.
All I hear is ringing.
Then his footsteps approach.
He kneels in front of me, his face close - too close. His breath is hot against my cheek.
"You should really learn to behave," he says quietly, almost gently.
Tears sting my eyes, but I try to blink them back.
"What did I ever do to you?" My voice cracks. "Why are you doing this to me? What did I do to deserve this?"
He studies me for a moment, then lets out a small laugh. For the first time, his smile is real.
"Oh," he says softly. "You really don't know? Maybe it's time you hear the truth."
He grabs my arm and pulls me up, making my body jerk painfully before he releases me. The world swims, but his voice is steady, cold, and filled with something twisted.
"Let me tell you a story," he begins. "Since you seem to have forgotten how all of this started."
I get flashbacks as he begins to talk.
* * *
Mira's laughter echoes in my ears, bright and soft.
I remember the day she introduced him to me.
Ethan.
Her new boyfriend.
He was charming. Polite.
Too polite.
I saw the way he looked at me the first day - like I was something he wanted to taste. How that stare changed into something darker, something that made my skin crawl.
But I ignored it, for Mira's sake. She was happy. Happier than I'd seen her in years. And she trusted him.
So I tried.
Until the day he confessed.
Until the day he cornered me and told me he wanted me instead.
I said no. Firmly.
And after that, Mira changed.
She became quiet. She cried often. I noticed the bruises she hid beneath long sleeves. The excuses she stuttered through. The tears at night when she thought I couldn't hear.
I begged her to leave him, but she was scared.
She was breaking.
And I couldn't take it.
I went to him myself, desperate to protect her. I told him - begged him - to let her go, to leave her alone, to stop hurting her.
He smiled.
Told me he would.
Then offered me a drink.
I was stupid enough to take it.
Everything went blank after that.
I remember waking up in pain - everywhere.
I remember his warning not to tell Mira or anyone else.
Days later, Mira died.
And I knew it was him.
I fought. I screamed. I testified. I held Mira's mother as she cried. I pushed until the police finally did something.
And finally - finally - Ethan was sentenced to life imprisonment.
I should have known it wouldn't end there.
But now I realize justice came with a shadow.
A shadow named Alex.
* * *
The flash of memory fades, replaced by Alex's low voice in my ear as he drags me to my feet.
His breath warm against my cheek as he says, "He was my brother, Kiera. You destroyed his life. And now I'm going to destroy yours."
I shiver.
"You ruined everything," he whispers. "You destroyed my brother. You tore my family apart."
"I saved Mira," I say, shaking. "He killed her."
Alex's eyes darken.
"He loved her," he lies, voice rising.
I shake my head weakly, tears slipping down my cheeks.
He leans in close.
"And now," he murmurs, "I'm going to make sure you pay for it."
My heart sinks.
Because now...
I finally understand everything.