Page 50 of Tempting My Nemesis

"We'll get through this together," he murmurs.

And for the first time in what feels like forever, a tiny spark of hope flickers inside me.

Caleb's presence is a strange comfort, but there’s still a strain between us.. His fingers tap nervously on the floor, an unusual display of nervousness for someone so meticulously controlled.

Caleb’s gray eyes lock onto mine, filled with deep remorse and determination.

"I owe you the truth, all of it. The real reason I kept you out… it wasn’t just fear of losing control. It was about protecting you—from what I do, from who I am. But I see now that keeping you in the dark only made things worse."

My heart aches with the need to understand, even as anger simmers beneath the surface.

"What do you mean?"

Caleb takes a deep breath, his expression steeling as he prepares to expose a part of his life he's kept hidden from everyone except a select few.

"I’m part of a group called Silencebreakers. The media… they’ve painted us as cybercriminals, but that’s not what we are. We’re… protectors, in our own way. We expose corruption, stop dangerous people from abusing power, and give a voice to those who can’t fight for themselves. But we do it from the shadows, outside the law."

The revelation shocks me, but in some strange way, it makes sense. I've always known Caleb was more than he let on.

"You’re telling me you’re some kind of… vigilante?"

He nods, his eyes never leaving mine.

"In a way, yes. It’s dangerous work, and that’s why I kept you out of it. But I see now that I was wrong. You deserve to know thetruth—to make your own choices about the risks you’re willing to take."

I take in his words, feeling their weight settle over me. Hurt and anger still burn within me, but I can see the sincerity in his eyes for the first time.

"Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why keep this from me?"

Caleb's voice fills with regret as he answers, each word cutting through the tension between us.

"Because I was scared, Zoe. Scared that if you knew the truth, you’d walk away. But now I realize… losing you because of my lies is worse than anything I could face out there. I’m done hiding. I’m done keeping you at arm’s length. If you’ll have me, I want us to face everything together."

My heart is torn apart by his revelation and sincerity. It's a lot to process, but Caleb's vulnerability is undeniable—he’s laying everything out there for me to see.

He’s serious. my mind races as his words sink in deeper. For the first time in what feels like forever, a tiny spark of hope flickers inside me.

"I want to show you something", he starts.

I watch Caleb as he reaches for his laptop, his movements methodical and deliberate. The soft click of the laptop opening is almost a comfort, a familiar sound in the midst of the madness. He sets it on the coffee table, his fingers dancing over the keyboard. His calm exterior contrasts sharply with the turmoil inside me.

He pulls up files and security footage, the screen illuminating his sharp features in the dim light of my apartment. I lean forward, my focus entirely on the screen. The tension between us hasn’t disappeared, but it’s shifted—there’s an understanding now, a willingness to move forward together.

"This is what we’re dealing with," Caleb says, his voice steady but laced with underlying anger. "Kane and CipherClash havebeen targeting Archer Innovations because of our connection. He knows that by hurting you, he hurts me."

My anger flares at the thought of someone using me to get to Caleb. The determination solidifies in my gut. I won’t be a pawn in anyone’s game.

"So, what’s the plan?" I ask, my voice steady and resolute.

Caleb glances at me, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"We fight back, together," he says. "I’ve already started securing Archer Innovations’ systems, but there’s more we can do. I’ll teach you how to defend yourself, how to anticipate his moves. This isn’t just about stopping Kane—it’s about making sure no one can ever hurt you like this again."

I nod, my resolve hardening further.

I’m tired of feeling helpless, tired of being kept in the dark. If Caleb is willing to teach me, I’m more than willing to learn.

"I’m not going to be a victim, Caleb," I say firmly. "I’m going to fight back. But I need you to promise me something."

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