Page 168 of Love Me

The way he thinks he’s invincible ignites in me a fireball of rage.

He’s a damn lunatic.

“You planned the accident.”

“Of course. The matriarch had one soft spot: your mother. Instead of appointing me the leader of my generation, she moved on straight to yours. She had no issue with you and Kaden. But I would never allow the daughter of a nobody to be with my son.”

“I’m the product of their love.”

He slaps me again.

A big grin splits my face. “And it kills you, doesn’t it? I even take after my father.”

His jaw might break with the pressure he applies. I know I shouldn’t antagonize him, but I inherited the strength of my mother and the patience of my father.

Pain surges through me again, even sharper this time.

I black out. Again.

When I come back to my senses, Felix and Caleb are gone.

Someone steps into my line of vision. The view is blurry, but her voice is soft. “Your body won’t resist any longer.”

“Then help me.”

“I can’t.”

“Then my death will be on your hands.”

Her hands tremble, and she pulls something out of her pocket. I try to focus on the picture, but it’s a blur.

“That’s my little girl. I thought I won the lottery with this job, but when I found out what they were using our research for, I wanted to quit. They threatened my daughter’s life if I didn’t comply.”

“I’m sorry.” A pang of guilt strikes me. That’s the thing, choices can also be taken from you.

“Please, give them what they need. It’s not worth your life.”

“Would you die for your daughter?”

“Yes.”

“Then there’s your answer.”

She gives me some water, wiping the mix of saliva, blood, and sweat from my face.

The doors slide open, and she shrieks, jumping two steps back. She looks panic-stricken. With every second that Blake isn’t here, I inch toward a lower point.

Felix and Caleb return with Blake on their heels. I know I look worse than I can even imagine when he comes to an abrupt halt.

I try to signal to him that I am hanging in there, but I doubt that it’s working, since his features remain frozen.

Blake inches toward me, and I mouth no. I haven’t endured all this for him to grow a conscience right now.

“What do you think, son?”

“I thought we wanted answers, not her death.”

“Well, she proved the most resilient out of all you. Though, no one has a perfect son like mine.”

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