Page 129 of His Cursed Heart

need to know he's the one who lies, not Althea.

And that's because I'm afraid of what she can lie about.

I move my body toward the package with little steps, praying that what's inside will be innocent.

Untrue.

I lift it off the floor and put it on the bed, tearing the brown paper wrap off it. I frown when in front of me is a big painting with a dark background and multiple stains of purple around it.

Like the stains I painted on Althea's body last night.

What game is Ivan playing?

Does he like to see me like this? Confused, angry. Completely useless in front of his words.

I look at the painting, trying to decipher the meaning of the stains. This doesn't look like Althea's work at all. It's plain and confusing, without giving you any kind of emotions. Althea's paintings are dark, with the most realistic details I've ever seen and emotions that fill your body until it drains you. And what I'm seeing right now looks like a painting made by Vince.

I flick of green gets my attention. I look at the right, down corner of the picture and see some lines that are very similar to grass. I put my fingers on that spot, but the glass stops me. Not having the patience to go grab something sharp, I punch the hard surface, but nothing. I try one more time but it seems useless.

What kind of glass is this?

I walk to the desk and grab the French key that I always carry with me. With a hard throw, the car tool breaks the glass and the dark painting moves a little.

I wipe the glass pieces out of the way, realizing the purple stains are actually printing out. I remove the picture, revealing the green that got my attention. My

breathing stops and I feel my eyes round at the picture in front of me.

Pain spreads in my chest, feeling like someone hit me right in the heart.

Can you hear me? What's your name?

Everette.

Hit.

When I open my eyes, the brightest shade of blue is looking at me with concern.

Hit.

"I'm Althea if that wasn't clear." She raises her hand toward me. "Your future sister-in-law." Her eyes are stormy, and my heart tells me I just did a mistake.

Hit.

If my sister suffers because of you, I will make sure that no one will find your body.

Hit.

Stay alive, Everest.

Hit.

You think I'm so heartless, everyone thinks I'm just a bitch for leaving Keres. But you don't know.

Hit.

My body trembles and I feel my knees weak. My fingers are gripping hard my hair and flashbacks are destroying my mind and soul.

All I hear is Ivan laughing at me right now at the sight of me, almost on my knees, with my heart crushed.

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