Novel & Cerita The Lies Between Us

I wanted to scream. The microphones crackled as Liam began. His voice was smooth, rehearsed, but the fury underneath bled through. “This family does not answer to rumors. We are united. We stand against lies meant to destroy us.” Zane leaned into the mic, his smirk razor sharp. “Funny thing about lies—they’re usually born from truth. And maybe the truth isn’t what anyone thinks.” Gasps. Murmurs. The crowd rippled, hungry for blood. Liam’s glare could have burned holes through his brother. “Zane”

The Work Below When the lamps burned low, Leah arrived with a kettle of tea, her clinic coat still marked with smudges of antiseptic and dust. She placed the cup beside Lorren’s ink and said nothing for a long moment. “You can’t heal people with truth alone,” she said finally, glancing at Ethan, who was leaning against the doorway. “But lies spread like fever. At least this one—we can name, and treat.”

“See? The Alpha twins and their little entourage—they’re just jealous. That’s all this is.” Laughter broke out and nods followed. The tide, for now, was his. Ethan leaned back, basking in the applause of fools. But he didn’t see Lucas pause just outside the cafeteria doors. He didn’t see the way Lucas’s eyes burned, or how Liam leaned in close to whisper something that made Lucas’s expression turn from rage into something far colder, far more dangerous. Because the thing about lies is that they rot from the inside out. And when the truth finally claws its way to the surface… it doesn’t just wound. It destroys.

There’s no hint of emotion in my voice. I don’t want there to be. Not with her. “That story has been killed,” Ruby answers. “Although, I thought the title Black Ties and White Lies was pretty fucking epic for the name.” I grunt. I wouldn’t hate the title if the article on the center of the website tomorrow wasn’t originally planned to out everything that’s transpired between Margo and me. All the lies included. I’d be fine with the world knowing the lies I’d told to get her, but I don’t want Margo’s name anywhere near it. Especially with how big tonight is for her. I don’t want anything clouding it tomorrow.

"I won't hide it from you—my lowest bid this time is nineteen million." The moment I finished speaking, Chelsea fell silent. I knew she had taken the bait. A faint smile curved my lips. Both of us, almost in unison, picked up our phones and sent out messages. Soon, the bidding results were announced. I secured the project—for fifteen million. Chelsea staggered, her body swaying. When she spoke, her voice was as rough as gravel scraping against stone. "Melissa… you lied to me again!" Her eyes were bloodshot, filled with rage.

Julian suggests, holding his glass out. “No more lies,” Nikita adds with a shrug. “I agree wholeheartedly, no more lies.” Layla moves her glass forward and they all look at me. I exhale slowly and nod, cocking a brow before I clink my glass with theirs. “No more lies!” they say in unison before we all drink. But the truth is, for the ones I love, I’ll continue to lie till the very end. THE END

The city slipped by outside dark storefronts, empty streets, the glow of distant traffic lights. “You know,” I said finally, my voice low, “our whole lives have been built on lies. My mother lied to protect me. Your father lies to control everyone. Rebecca lied to herself. And me I’ve been lying to myself since the day I met you.” Alex turned his head toward me, eyes glassy with pain. “How?” “Because I wanted to believe we could be normal. That love could fix everything. But nothing about this is normal.”

We stayed there, suspended in silence, until the noise of the city and the penthouse itself seemed distant and irrelevant. “You know this can’t last,” she said finally, voice trembling. “Eventually, the truth will come out. The world will see us for what we are… for what this is.” I tightened my hold just slightly. “And what is this, Harper?” She opened her eyes, searching mine. “A lie,” she said softly, though her voice wavered. “A dangerous, convincing lie.” I leaned closer, close enough that our noses nearly touched. “And yet,” I said, low and slow, “it feels real. With you, it feels real.”

Not now. Some truths… are too dangerous to speak out loud. So for now, I have to ask you to trust something you cannot see. Before I can tell the truth… I have to live a lie. Just know this— No matter where I go… No matter what happens… I will always love you. And I know… in some way… you will always love Michelle. That is something I have accepted. Even if it hurts. Goodbye, John. For now. —Jasmine ⸻

They both stare at me and seem to be waiting for what I say, “I lie to you guys, I don't have my business, I'm living a messy life here in New York, I lied” They look into each other eyes and said, “We know,” “What?”