Tangled in His Lies

Watching the couple in the living room, I felt like all my senses had shut down.Just last night, we had been so close it was like we were melting into one. But when I woke up, Connor Grayson suddenly had a fiancée?It felt like I was in a nightmare.I didn't even know how he'd called his father, Stephen Grayson, and my mother over, or how they'd discussed his wedding.By the time they were done talking and Connor had seen them out, he came back and gently brushed his fingers across my cheek."Have you been crying?" he asked.Only then did I realize my face was wet with tears. "Connor, you're getting married. You said–"But before I could finish, Connor cut me off with a chuckle. "Marry the girl next door who's ten years younger than me? Baby, people would say I'm a creep. You might not care, but I still have my pride."It felt like I had been plunged into an ice bath.Connor and I had known each other for five years.Back then, my father had just passed away, and I moved int

It felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over my head.I used to believe Connor and I were in love. He had said so many sweet things to me when we had slept together. But the truth was, I had just been a plaything.He forced a kiss on me, and I slapped him.He licked his lips. "Feel better now? If you're done, clean yourself up. Vanessa invited you to dinner to smooth things over. She's being the mature one here, so don't act like a child."-Vanessa showed up with a set of expensive jewelry as a gift for me, saying it was an apology. I wanted nothing to do with either of them. We went back and forth, and in the end, I didn't accept it.At dinner, the two of them were overly affectionate. Connor picked out the bones in her fish, picked off the green onions and cilantro she didn't like, and fed her bite by bite. It was just like what he used to do for me.It made my chest feel tight. I excused myself and went to the restroom.Once dinner was over, something unexpect

There was a sudden commotion outside the door. Connor leaned forward to whisper in my ear."Selena, I was actually feeling soft-hearted and was going to let you go. But you just wouldn't listen, huh? You can't blame me for this. You owe me."Then he grabbed my shoulders and shouted loudly, "Selena, I've always thought of you as my sister! I never once had any inappropriate thoughts about you!"You drugged me back then and did what you did. That was already bad enough. But today is your engagement day. You can't afford to make another mistake! Forget me. I can't betray my fiancée!"Just then, the door opened, and everyone outside clearly heard what he said.Seeing our disheveled clothes, Amanda clutched her chest and slapped me hard across the face. She didn't hold back. Blood trickled down from the corner of my mouth."You're a disgrace! Did all the manners I taught you go to waste?" she screamed. "I spent years raising you, not so you could throw yourself at a man with a fiancée

I sneered and cut Connor off."What, still want me to be your mistress, Connor? Haven't I paid off my debt yet?"Connor's eyes flashed with shame and irritation, and he retorted with a sarcastic reply. "Yeah, seeing you this pathetic, I figured I'd give you a chance."So full of pride now, huh, Selena? You've got nothing left. Don't come crawling back later begging to be my mistress again. By then, there won't even be a spot for you."He slammed the door and left. I collapsed onto the floor. I wished I had never met Connor.But he hadn't been gone long when the doorbell rang again.I thought it was him coming back, and I grabbed the fruit knife."What do you want from me now?" I demanded as I opened the door.But Jamie stood before. He looked thinner and worn down."Selena, my race is tomorrow. You promised me you'd come watch."I was surprised. I didn't expect him to still show up after everything that happened.I let him into the living room. With a bitter smile, I told hi

They both looked unhappy to see me.Amanda looked at me. She seemed heartbroken and furious. "You ungrateful child! What are you even doing back here?"Stephen gave me a look too. His eyes held a faint trace of disgust, though he was too well-mannered to let it fully show.I forced myself to stay calm. "I have something to say. Let's wait for Connor to arrive first."Stephen seemed cautious. "Why are you still trying to get close to my son?"I pretended not to hear him and waited for Connor.When he arrived, he looked utterly drained. His eyes were bloodshot, and when he saw me, his mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.I looked at him calmly. "Connor, do you have anything to say? To your dad? To my mom?"He flinched. "I was wrong–"But nothing more followed.I stepped closer. "Can I take a look at it? The thing that made you so full of hate and convinced you of something that never even happened?"His shoulders trembled. He looked completely drained of strength.I