Chapter 15
Far away in the Wexley Heights, Delilah had been locked in Julian’s study for a full day and night.
Her voice was hoarse from screaming, but she wasn’t panicked. Not really.
Sure, he’d found out some things—but she was still confident in one thing: Julian loved her.
Why else would he have so easily cast Savannah aside, even after all those years?
When she’d exhausted herself from crying, she simply lay back on the couch to rest. No fear. No remorse.
Then came the click of the door.
As Julian stepped inside, Delilah’s eyes lit up with hope. She sat up slowly, her tear–swollen eyes shimmering with desperation.
“I know I messed up,” she said softly, her voice trembling just enough. “I shouldn’t have lied. But it’s only because I love you so much.”
“And Savannah’s sister… I didn’t even know what happened to her. Maybe Savannah did it on purpose–maybe she let her die so the shame wouldn’t fall on her family. Maybe she blamed me just to save face.”
“I swear, I had nothing to do with it.”
Julian’s lips curved into a smile.
Delilah thought it meant she’d won.
She crawled awkwardly toward him, her whole body aching, but her heart full of hope.
She didn’t notice the darkness creeping into his eyes.
Julian crouched down in front of her, gaze unreadable. Then, with deliberate calm, he untied the ropes from her wrists.
She barely had time to breathe before he stood, lifted his boot, and stomped on her hand.
The sickening crunch of bone breaking echoed through the room.
Delilah screamed.
Her composure shattered instantly–her pretty face twisted in agony, lips parted in a cry she couldn’t hold back.
“You still think I’m that easy to fool?” Julian ground out between clenched teeth, his jaw tight with rage. “You really thought I’d fall for that act again?”
He waved his hand.
A man–bloodied, barely conscious–was dragged into the room and tossed at Delilah’s feet like garbage.
She shrieked at the sight of him.
Julian didn’t flinch.
“Take a good look,” he said coldly. “Do you recognize him?”
The man let out a broken moan, crawling toward her with trembling limbs.
“Ms. Monroe… please… you were the one who planned it all… I can’t keep lying for you anymore…”
“Shut up!” Delilah screamed, but it was too late.
Julian had heard enough.
**
The moment he was sure her hand was completely ruined, he stepped back, calm and composed as if none of this had happened.
Even as Delilah sobbed, cradling her mangled hand, Julian didn’t so much as blink.
Chapter 15
