Page 202 of The One
Even if it means my own demise. I’ll find a way to take him down.
For the first time, I truly understand Tiero’s willingness to die for the woman he loves, if it meant Ella would live.
I still hope and pray he went through with Teo’s plan to save both himself and Ella, that what I heard is just a cover story. But if he didn’t, I understand.
If it comes down to it, I would die for Mateo.
To make surehegets to live.
My stomach keeps churning, but as I stand under the scalding water, feeling colder than ever before, the truth settles into my bones.
I cannot build a life with Teo based on a lie.
I’m on the bed in the guest room, running through scenarios. How do I tell Teo?
And then there’smammaand my sisters. Should I warn them?
But they would probably freeze with panic and I’m not there to help them. They don’t have the means to disappear on such short notice, and worse, if they did, Father would catch wind of my plan to reveal all to Mateo. God knows what that would set in motion.
No. I can’t tell anyone until it’s done.
I hate my father so much. And I hate my life.
How did it come to this?
No matter what I choose, someone will die.
At the sound of cars in the driveway, I jump off the bed and race to the window, my heart pounding as five armored SUVs pull up. Security has been tightened further, with two vehicles flanking Mateo’s car in the front and two in the back.
This is it.
The moment that changes everything.
My heart starts drumming so fast it’s thundering in my ears.
“Breathe. Just breathe,” I whisper to myself, yet the walls seem to close in.
I press my palms against my face, forcing slow, steady inhales and exhales. It barely helps. My body teeters on the edge of shutting down, but I can’t afford to lose control.
I have to move. Now.
Every minute I wait, Father will be enacting his treacherous scheme.
My legs are shaky as I make my way to the door. Downstairs, the hallway is eerily silent. No one is in sight.
Mateo must have dismissed everyone. I’m grateful for the emptiness. I don’t want to see anyone, or hear any voices.
When I reach his office, my fingers tremble as I grip the doorframe. Teo sits behind his desk in his large leather chair, his face distant, as if a million miles away. His eyes are bloodshot, and his hair is a disheveled mess, as if he’s been constantly running his fingers through it.
Is he pondering his brother’s choice? He was going to ask him not to tell him either way.
He hasn’t noticed me yet, so I stay where I am, drinking him in.
My heart swells with overwhelming love for this man.
The resolve I had in the shower, the determination to tell him, is slipping away.
I’m wavering.
