Page 108 of Love Me Not

Juliette nodded and leaned back in her chair.She was barely breathing.

This is my fault.

Realistically, I knew my mother's actions had nothing to do with me, but I couldn't help but think that if I hadn’t bought her at the auction that very first night, she would never have had to go through this.

But then I wouldn’t have her.

All it took was that thought to stop me from blaming myself.

“I know it’s not much, but does that information match?”Laura asked, her eyes never leaving Juliette.Lawyers were usually perceptive, but I had a feeling Laura was looking straight into Juliette’s soul.

“The more I think about it, the less sure I am,” she replied, her voice shaking.“I was young, and it was a long time ago.I don’t remember where they said it happened.I mostly remember my reaction to the police showing up at our door.”

I let my hand trail up her arm and rubbed her shoulders, a soothing gesture I hoped provided her with some sort of comfort.

“It's okay,” I said in a soft voice.She nodded, but I could feel that she was just putting on a brave face for everyone else.Inside, she was barely hanging on.

Seeing her this way gutted me.Regardless of whether it had been my mother, the emotional torment she was putting us through made me hate her even more.

There was nothing I could do to help remedy this situation.We needed to know the truth, and while I couldn't bring her parents back, I damn well was going to try to get my mother to pay for it.

Mia’s phone started vibrating, and she stood up, hastily leaving the room.

“It’s not what I usually do,” Laura started.“But if you need help with a civil suit, or maybe we could even go as far as bringing charges against her, I'll try everything in my power.”

Juliette nodded and gave her a weak smile.

“If it's true… I’m not sure what I want at this point.I need to talk to my brother but also… Knowing that she tried to get close to my aunt—my family—just makes it all feel even more sickening.”

Her eyes shifted to me, and I wished I could do something.Anything.Knowing I would do anything for her but having my hands tied like this was killing me.I felt so useless.

Mia walked back into the room, her face sullen.All of us turned to look at her.Juliette let out a pained noise as if she could read the answer on her face.

“Hayes.Trish and James Hayes.”

Chapter29

Juliette

“Going for the good stuff this time, huh?”

I looked up at Lux with a forced smile.There was a bottle of red wine in my hand and I was drinking straight from it.I had taken her advice on raiding the wine cellar, and while I didn’t know what I got, from the silky taste of it on my tongue, I knew it must've been expensive.

I handed it to her as she sat by me.

The air was warming, but I still opted for a light sweater and sweat shorts.Lux was dressed in her normal silk pajamas.

I wanted nothing more than to climb onto her lap, straddle her, and bring her lips to mine to forget everything that had happened over the last few days.

There was so much buzzing around my mind that it felt like I could only rely on the red wine in my hand and the feel of her lips against mine.The only two constants in this world.The only two things that had the ability to make me forget the outside world.

Her hand found my bare thigh and she squeezed.

“We’ll get her,” she vowed, her voice taking a serious tone.

“Even if she's your mother?Even if it means putting her away?”

I took another swig and boldly looked up at her.She was already staring at me.I expected her to frown at my obvious attempt to fight, but she just smiled.

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