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Chapter 23: Blood on Your Hands

Author: Papilora
last update Last Updated: 2025-10-28 09:31:42

The thing about anger is that it sneaks up on you. One second you’re holding it in, keeping your voice calm, your hands steady, your mask in place. The next, it’s a wildfire, burning through reason, scorching every ounce of control.

That’s exactly what happens with Jace and me.

We’re standing outside the gym, the lights buzzing overhead, the night pressing close around us. He’s still gripping my wrist, not hard, just enough to keep me there. And I hate it. I hate the way my skin burns under his touch. I hate the way his eyes won’t let me go. But most of all, I hate the words he just said—his version of Noah, his supposed attempts to help.

Because if there’s even a shred of truth in them, then the last few months of my life have been built on a lie.

I rip my arm free, my voice sharp. “You think you can just say that and I’ll forgive you? That I’ll believe you?”

Jace doesn’t flinch. He just looks at me, calm in that dangerous way that makes me want to scream. “I don’t care if you forgiv
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