Page 274 of Kentrell

That something changed.

ThatIchanged something in him.

But what if I hadn’t?

What if he just got close enough to finish the job?

What if this whole love story I’d built in my head was just me… falling while he stood still?

I reached for my phone again. Not to call him this time.

To delete the contact.

My thumb hovered over the screen, trembling.

Delete Contact: My Honey?

My heart screamedno.

But my pride?

My pride whispered,do it before he finishes what he started.

And for the first time in a long time…

I didn’t know who to trust.

Not even myself.

I sat in the chair, numb at first. But the longer I stared at that folder—my name sprawled across secrets and strategy like a damn game plan—the numbness cracked.

Then the rage came.

Hot. Slow. Relentless.

Heliedto me.

The man who looked me in my face and said lying was the one thing hewouldn’ttolerate… had lied every step of the way. Built a world for us on surveillance and shadows. On manipulation dressed up like love.

And Ifellfor it.

I, who had spent years training my mind to catch liars in court, who could sniff out bullshit before a sentence was done, had somehow lethimslide under my skin and wrap himself around my heart like he was mine.

He made mefall. Let me say “I love you.” Let me touch him like I meant something. And all the while—he had this.

A cheat sheet. Tome.

My thoughts were spiraling, running faster than I could catch them, when my phone lit up again.

Mom

I hesitated.

Then answered.

“Hey,” I said, my voice tight but calm. Too calm.

“Zoe.” Her voice was shaky, guarded. “You okay? Were you crying?”

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