Page 60 of Lust & Lies
That movie must’ve stuck with me. I mean, it was the first movie I’d watched since I woke up with amnesia. Yeah, it was the movie that influenced me. That had to be why I’d acted that way and come up with that outlandish plan. Right?
The more I tried to cling to that excuse, the less it felt like the truth. Aiden was still calling my name, asking if I was okay. I stood there, listening to his voice that sounded miles away. I couldn’t reply.
I was trapped in my thoughts, held immobile by my fear. Unable to meet his concerned gaze, I stared at his chest as I tried to understand why I’d done what I’d done. I had no explanation, no idea why I’d reacted in such a way.
But I knew one thing: reactions were instincts honed over time. They didn’t disappear with memory loss. My body remembered things my mind had forgotten. That was why my reaction scared me so damn badly. My pulse pounded in my ears, my mind replaying the scene over and over.
My grip on the knife, the angle of the blade, the exact pressure of my forearm pinning her in place, the plan to get rid of the body afterward.
Every detail I’d come up with had been precise. Too precise. I had no explanation, no idea why I’d reacted in such a way. It was like I’d been someone else for those few seconds. Someone dangerous. Someone I didn’t recognize.
I began trembling, tears welling in my eyes, blurring my vision. My hands fisted at my sides as if I were attempting to hold myself together, trying to force my body to cease shaking. It didn’t work.
“What happened, Dolores?” Aiden yelled.
“I’m not sure, sir. I must’ve scared Mrs. Park,” the woman that I now knew as Dolores said. “I came to prepare breakfast for you both and to meal prep your food for the next three days. But I must’ve startled her. I hadn’t expected her to be in the kitchen.”
“Look at me, Noe,” Aiden insisted, hands moving to my face. “Look at me, sweetheart.”
Blinking rapidly to clear my vision, I raised my gaze to his. The concern in his eyes made the tears fall harder. Before I knew it, I was pressed against him, face resting on his chest, with his arms wrapped tightly around me.
“It’s my fault,” he whispered. “I should’ve told you she would be here this morning. It’s my fault you were frightened, love.”
I tried to speak, but all that emerged was a choked sob. Aiden didn’t say another word to me. Just scooped me up like I weighed nothing and started toward the kitchen door.
Over his shoulder, he called to Dolores, “You’ll be paid double for today.”
“Mr. Park, that’s not necessary,” she said quickly, but he cut her off.
“It’s not up for debate. I’ll take her into the living room while you finish up in here.”
“Yes, sir.”
When we were almost at the door, I tapped his chest.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, glancing down at me.
I lifted my chin over his shoulder, looking back at Dolores as she crouched to pick up the fallen items off the floor. Items I’d caused her to drop.
“I’m so sorry, Dolores,” I apologized, voice shaky. “I didn’t mean to do that.”
She looked at me, her expression softening before she gave me a small smile.
“Sweetie, it’s okay. You’ve been through a lot. How about I put a note on the kitchen door when I come to prepare stuff in the future, so you’ll know I’m here?”
I nodded, relief that she wasn’t angry with me and shame at what I’d done to her knotting in my chest.
Her smile widened. “Forget all about what just happened,” she said gently. “It’s not your fault. Okay?”
I nodded again.
“Let Mr. Park take you to rest. I’ll prepare your favorite turkey bacon omelet for you and some chocolate chip pancakes.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, feeling even more guilty for nearly killing such a kind person.
“You’re welcome.”
Aiden continued forward, carrying me from the kitchen. However, I didn’t miss the look he threw over his shoulder at Dolores or the nod he gave. Was that a silent thank you for how she’d handled things?
