Page 77 of The Secrets We Treasure

Josette cackled. The sound was guttural and grating. “We offered Treasure one-hundred-thousand dollars cash to break up with you and leave the island. She took it.”

Greer’s face caved. “Tell me it isn’t true,” he begged.

Treasure’s heart wrenched. She would rather be cut into bits and spread to the four corners of the earth rather than see the anguish on Greer’s face. Her lungs squeezed, cutting off her air. She was caught in the spin cycle of a cruel wave that refused to let go. “Josette threatened to expose my mom’s affair with Oliver. She was going to get her fired.” Her voice broke. “I had no other choice. I did take the money, but I never touched a penny of it.”

“Do you really expect us to believe that? Absurd!” Josette shook her head. “More lies.”

Treasure gave Josette a scalding look. “You’re a miserable worm, getting your jollies out of manipulating other people’s lives. I was practically a kid when you took advantage of me.” She zeroed in on Francie, pointing. “Josette used you to get to my mother.” She was near shouting but didn’t care. Treasure had held onto the hurt for far too long. Now that she was letting it out, there was no containing her wrath. “Shame on you for bullying me and hurting your son in the process.” She turned her condemning gaze on Laci, who seemed to shrink into herself a smidgen. “And you. Your betrayal hurts the most. How could you?” A sob wrenched her throat. “I loved you like a sister.”

“I never meant to hurt you. I’m only trying to protect Greer,” Laci said sadly. “You should have told him the truth a long time ago.”

“You’re right.” Treasure balled her fists. “I should have.” Tears rolled rivers down her cheeks as she turned to Greer. “I love you with all my heart. I should have trusted you. I was weak and afraid. I’ve lived with the regret of what I did every single day of my life. I’m sorry.” A whimper broke through her lips as she turned and fled the room.

She hardly noticed the falling rain as she ran to the golf cart and threw open the driver’s door. She was in such a state that, for an instant, she couldn’t remember where her keys were located. Then, in a flash, her brain snapped back together as she fished them out of her purse, started the motor, and sped away.

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