Page 76 of Of Vows and Betrayal

Fabrizio’s gaze is steady, emotionless but knowing. “You’ll need to be strong, Ophelia. Stronger than ever. Channel your anger to move forward, be smart.”

I nod, trying to hold back the tears that are threatening to spill. “I’ll be fine,” I say, though my voice wavers.

He steps aside, allowing me to leave. “Remember what I said. Don’t let Javier drag you deeper into this mess.”

“I won’t,” I whisper, though I’m not sure I believe myself.

I step out of the room, feeling a mix of relief and dread. I make my way back to the car where Derek is waiting.

As soon as he sees me come down the steps, Derek rushes out of the car and grabs my suitcase. I’m not in the mood to fight him, so I give it up and sit in the passenger seat.

“Are you okay?” He shakes his head. “That’s a stupid question.”

I sigh. “Javier was right. I’m homeless and alone.”

“You’re not alone; you have us… me,” Derek stammers, trying to sound reassuring as he starts the car. “If you need a place, you can stay with me.” He hesitates, then adds, “I live two floors below Javier. It’s not much, but it’s something.” He rubs his neck awkwardly. “I don’t have a lot of furniture, and I have no beds, but we can stop at a furniture store on our way and get stuff.”

Despite the annoyance I feel at his deception, my heart breaks for him because I know somehow that despite him pretending to be Jenna, all that we shared was the truth—you can’t lie about things like that. You can’t.

I look at his profile, his piercings, the tattoos going up his neck to his jawline. I let my eyes trail down his arm, and I see them—almost unnoticeable, but I know they are there… he told me. The cigarette burns his mother gave him when she was going through withdrawal.

“You never lied to me about anything, did you?” I ask, keeping my eyes on his arm.

He slows down, his grip on the steering wheel tightening as he looks at me, eyes filled with pain but also understanding as he follows my gaze to his scarred arm.

“No, I didn’t.” His voice is barely louder than a whisper. “I never meant to reveal that much. I never meant to truly share.”

I nod. “But the anonymity of being behind the screen helped.” I know because I overshared too.

“Yes, it did.”

I think about what he revealed. How it was his friends who helped him breathe in his darker hours. How he grieved his drug-addicted mother when she finally died despite the torture he endured at her hands, and how she sold him for drug money. I also know how important his friends are in his life. How they helped him when he wanted to end it all, and no matter what he helped Javier do, I will not be the one taking away his support system by moving in with him and driving a wedge between them.

I sigh, the weight of the decision pressing down on my shoulders. “I’ll stay with Javier for now until I find a solution.” My mind is racing with the need to protect those I care about, even if it means enduring Javier’s presence.

Derek nods absently.

Despite his deception, I trust him… far more than I trust anyone right now.

“Did you know Javier and I are apparently married?”

He throws me a side look, making his car sway on the road, and it’s answer enough. He had no idea.

A car honks behind us, and Derek opens his window, flashing his middle finger before concentrating on me again.

“What?” He shakes his head. “I had no idea, I swear. Knowing Javier’s views on marriage, it seems…” He stops talking, and now I think about what Javier said about my father.

“Did my father really—” My voice falters, grief tightening in my throat. I swallow hard, fighting for composure. “Kill Javier’s wife?”

Derek’s shoulders slump. “He did.”

“Are you sure?” My father had flaws, and he could be ruthless, but killing a young woman on her wedding day?

“I am. I was there,” he says quietly, as if grieving too.

It breaks my heart to know that—that he’d stolen someone else’s happiness, and I’m confused because no matter what, I can’t stop grieving his loss.

“I can’t help but mourn him,” I admit just as we reach the parking garage. I know he will understand—I remember his words about his mother.

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