Page 78 of Cup of Lies

“We have to get inside,” I hiss. “Can’t you like pick the lock or something?”

He gives me a withering look. It’s Theo who pulls out his phone and uses an app to unlock the door.

“Learned this trick back in New York from Caius,” Theo explains as he pushes through the door.

“Theo? Oh my God, you have to help me, sugar. This woman is crazy.”

Theo stiffens when Ava addresses him. She’s put together like the other times I’ve seen her. Her red hair hangs in sleek sheetsin front of her shoulders, highlighting her plump, perky breasts that are practically spilling out of her summer dress. Ava is vibrant and always impeccably made up.

Vivienne is her complete opposite.

With them side by side, Vivienne, with her soft blond hair, innocent features, and demure clothing, it’s as if they’re a devil and an angel.

I know, though, they’re both evil.

“I’m not crazy,” Vivienne says, waving a large, pointy knife in Ava’s direction, which isn’t helping her case. “I’m here for revenge.”

Ava takes offense and scoffs at her. “For what? I don’t know you.” Then her eyes land on me. “What areyoudoing here?” Her bottom lip juts out as she glances over at Theo. “Sweetie, what’s happening? Did you come to save me?”

Theo stiffens and looks down at his feet. His shoulders curl inward. The whole shutdown from his usual confidence is alarming. For some reason, this makes me want to protect him.

“Save you?” Vivienne says with a cackle. “He’s here to dispose of your dead body.”

Ava gapes at us in confusion. Her eyes skim over my belly and she shoots me a look of disgust. She never did like me. The feeling is mutual.

“You’re so fucking ridiculous, Ava,” Vivienne snarls, stepping closer to her. “And pathetic. You think if you flash Theo a sexy look he’ll do your bidding? He’s not Dr. Huxley.”

Ava snaps her head to glower at Vivienne. “Wait. You’re that insane bitch who was obsessed with him.” She laughs cruelly. “He told me all about your ideations of the two of you being together.”

“Ideations?” Vivienne jabs a pointy red fingernail at me. “He got me pregnant withher.”

It’s almost comical how large Ava’s eyes widen.

“That’s impossible,” Ava bites out. “He doesn’t have a daughter.”

Vivienne snags a handful of Ava’s red hair and jerks her to her. The giant knife gets pressed between Ava’s breasts. “He does and she’s standing right there.”

Ava shoots me a wild look, pleading for me to do something. I can’t do anything. Vivienne is a monster. But so is Ava.

This is what you call fighting fire with fire.

“Theo,” Ava cries out, tears welling in her eyes. “Sweetie, help me. Don’t let her do this. I was your first. That has to mean something to you.”

He flinches at the mention of the loss of his virginity. “I…”

“He was a child,” I say coolly, leveling Ava with a fierce glare. “You can’t manipulate him like you have before. I won’t let you.”

His head jerks to the side as he regards me with confusion. “You won’t?”

“You stole them. Girls like LuLu,” I tell her, wincing when another wave of pain hits. I can feel Halo’s eyes on me, but he stays back, silent. “Sold them like they were produce at a market. You preyed upon the vulnerable and now karma is here, knocking at your door.”

Vivienne jerks her arm, stabbing the knife into the center of Ava’s chest. Ava lets out a raspy, surprised sound before crumpling to the ground.

That’s when Vivienne loses it.

“You bitch! You man stealing bitch! I could have married him! We could have been a family!” Vivienne screams as she launches herself at Ava. “Because of you, I went insane and hurt kids!”

There’s a bit of a scuffle since Ava’s still somehow alive. Theo starts for them, but Halo’s hand clamps down on my shoulder to keep me from intervening.

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