บททั้งหมดของ A VOW TO HATE: บทที่ 71 - บทที่ 80

AIDEN6/7THURSDAYIt's the eve of the deadline. The previous few days went calmly. My father presented keynotes with his signature quote, “I can’t leave this entirely up to you, or you might screw it up.”He’s right. Never assumed I’d say it, but I might blow this thing up. Not for the reasons you think. I could, if I wanted to, destroy her. Come against all their shortcomings.Use our strengths to commandeer. But I didn’t want those. I wished to defend myself as she tilted against her car, pointed out that I was there for her. That I saw her. All of her that night, but I left because I was trying to find a solution. It flopped.Harold demanded nothing. He felt outraged that I walked out mid-conversation and insisted that I focus on winning instead of undoing anything.I tried. I unboxed my father’s notes, but they were brutal. Speaking against their HR policy and the lawsuits filed against them. That was just the beginning. I couldn’t do it.I kept all the files back in the box, paus

LAYLA7/7FRIDAY“It’s a little late. Don’t you think we should get going?"He pried around, checking the table where my phone was still seated, then the entire room. His hands slid on each side of my shoulders, and he squeezed. The weight lifted off my shoulders is surprising.In the meantime, let's pretend the world out there isn't constantly fighting to end each other. Let’s assume it’s just the two of us, and no one exists.”“Mmm”I swept my eyes, reaching into his hair and sinking my fingers into them.“This is nice.”****“You’re taking Harold’s proposal.”He buttons his shirt, flattening the sleeve lines toremove wrinkles.“We don’t know if he’ll say yes. Best case, he called your father, and they made an arrangement.”“We talk about my father a lot. Do you have a crush on him, love?”I cringed as the words left his mouth, flipping him the finger shortly after.“Stop worrying about my father and consider this new opportunity. Works schedule and all.”“How will you handle him? I

LAYLA MONDAY“You can’t be serious.”I didn’t quit nodding, undoing the ponytail I made so I could keep the band on my wrist, maybe I could tie a vein so hard, the blood stops flowing, and I die. Yeah, that’s sure to fix a lot of my problems. “I am.”“When was this?”I double-tapped the screen. The time stamp read a little after seven pm. “I don’t know. Three hours give or take.”“And what have you been doing the whole time?”I brought my knees up to my chest.“Rocking my body like this on the bed. I got up half an hour ago to search for alcohol, but I’m out. Then I realized I don’t want to drink alone, so I’d like it if you’d join me.”I sniffled. “So your life just virtually imploded over the past seven days. You went from wedding to realizing you and Aiden were across each other from enemy lines, then he swopped in with a reverse uno, fucked you on the table, that was hot by the way, your father who’s a dick, apologies since he birthed you and all, Aiden and you cuddle and he

LAYLA MONDAY “Answer it.” “Freya. I don’t…” “Yes, you do. Incubus. A clever way to hide his contact.” “I wasn’t trying.” She didn’t quit blinking. What I assumed were tears behind her lids. A split second ago, we were still on the ground, Freya weeping in my arms, relentlessly. Until she wasn’t. My phone disrupted the balance, ringing in my bag, and when I retrieved it, Aiden’s contact flashed across the screen. I didn’t need to say it. My guilty eyes gave me away. She crawled and jerked apart from me, a screech leaving her lips. “Go on.” She urged, her tone breaking further. “I’m hanging up. He’s not important now. I want us to be okay. That’s what matters.” “No. I need you to pick it up. I want to hear what he says.” “Go on.” The call would end soon, so I hit answer and brought it to my ears. “Layla.” My chest constricts, and I lower a wince that slips out. I chose to ignore how dejected his tone sounded because if I dwell on that, I go back to where we started. And I

LAYLAMy office was enormous. Vast enough to hold a meeting, I could pace around during a dilemma, yet it felt like the walls were crumbling—No their sizes didn’t change, it seemed like they were shifting. Closing in on me.I covered the sides of my ears, shaking my head and pleading with the voices in my head to quiet down. I pray they listen. I cowered at the edge of my seat. My knee buckled to my face as the sobs came raking through my body. Each one caused a violent surge, jerking my entire being. They felt custom-made, tailored for this situation, fitting it perfectly.He said goodbye. I wanted him to leave. The end of the era, as we agreed. Why does it hurt? Why can’t I fucking breathe in this button-up shirt? I take off the first two buttons and heave a sigh. Nothing.I get off the floor and clutch the desk, a dizzy spell whipping my balance.It’s great. Everything is fine and everyone is happy. I wanted it. I needed it. Why am I concerned?Get a fucking grip. My nails threatene