Page 83 of Legacy

Does he laugh at me behind my back? Is he smug andamused that I fell for his father’s plan? Of course, he is—I heard it during that conversation.

My soul cried, parts of it refusing to believe the reality of this situation. I wanted to cling to the warm moments of security and love Eli had started to show me as a possibility for our future.

I wanted to go back. If only I could reverse time, not just to the barriers we broke in the tub, but further, before I shared anything with Eli except my body.

I could only blame myself for falling for it. I had allowed myself to believe Eli and I could have what Mama and Papa shared. Those were stupid childhood fantasies, nothing more.

You’re a fucking fool, Avra.

The second I heard his car arrive, then the hum of the garage door, I straightened my back. Pulling a tissue from the box before me, I wiped my tears away.

I couldn’t break. I refused to break in front of him.

Rage filled me, battering my bleeding, shattered heart. I may have fallen for it, but Eli had manipulated me, used me, and made me believe we’d grow old together.

I clenched my jaw, fisted the folder in my fingers, and stalked through my room and into the hallway, livid with myself that I’d lost sight of what mattered—keeping my enemies close—and let Elias distract me from what Ozias wanted.

Control.

He’d never stop until he had my entire family six feet under.

“Avra, don’t do it like this,” I heard Vik say from behind me. “You need a clear mind.”

Then Laya spoke. “Call the men. This scene is going to be bad.”

Bad wasn’t the word I’d use.

“I want all of you to stay out of sight,” I commanded. “Do you hear me?”

“We hear you, but we're staying within listening range. Our men will be with us,” Vik responded.

I let out a deep breath. That was exactly what I expected.

I waited in the front entryway. All the staff seemed to have vanished. Given the mood shift in the house, it was the safest course for them.

My whole body shook, fury igniting every nerve in me. Cold, unemotional logic was my approach with him. Then I would walk away.

As soon as I saw him step inside, my plan to remain calm disappeared. The wrath bubbling up in my veins erupted, and I charged at him.

I kept my arms at my sides, not trusting myself to avoid clocking him. I wanted to hurt him, make him feel a mere ounce of the pain I felt because of his actions.

“How could you lie to me all along?” I screamed. “Why did you make me believe?”

“Avra?” He held his hands up, stepping back with utter confusion on his face. “What’s going on?”

I was too devastated to think straight. If I were any weaker, I’d crumple and drop, sobbing into the carpet as I pounded my hand to the surface.

Instead, I shoved the agony and tears back and faced him directly. “You lied to me over and over. How could you?”

“How could I what?” He looked around me as if expecting others, and then returned to me. “What did I do?”

“How could you make me love you, knowing that you would destroy my world and take everything from me?”

“What?” His eyes widened, and a crease formed between his brows.

He shook his head as if needing a moment to let my question sink in.

When he finally spoke, his words came out as if he was in disbelief. “I did what?”

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