Page 46 of Scent of Desire
“And you don’t have any faith in humans,” I quipped back. “Because you can only see how repulsive and inhuman you are!”
Fuck. A wave of regret engulfed me, knowing there was no turning back from the venom I spread.
“Repulsive? Is that what I am to you?” His eyes turned cruel, as sharp as blades, and the corners of his lips lifted up into something dark and scary. “Did you know that your fucking uncle sold your mother’s perfume right after her death to Carmin?”
My mouth dropped. “What?”
For a moment, Radcliff’s expression twisted with surprise. He’d never meant to let this slide.
“Which perfume, Radcliff?” I articulated, fury springing to life inside me.
“The 27.”
My favorite perfume.
The perfume whose nose identity was the most well-guarded secret of Carmin. No one ever knew who it was.
I felt like I’d been stabbed by a knife into my heart and some corrosive liquid was tearing me up from the inside—slowly and painfully, like the most maleficent of thorns.
“I don’t believe you.”I can’t believe you.“She didn’t—it’s not possible. You’re lying!”
“Now, why would I lie to you?” His nostrils flared, a muscle in his jaw working. “I have proof. A conversation recorded with your uncle.”
So, it is true.
Radcliff would never speak of proof if he didn’t have any.
In some way, it all made sense, as if my heart always knew—that’s why it hurt so much. Who apart from my mother could have created a perfume so enchanting and magical? Only she had the talent for it.
But she would have never wanted her creation to be stolen and become someone else’s. I knew that because I was just like her. My uncle had betrayed me and my mother, stealing her legacy and achievement for his own gain, but why? For money and fame?How could he be so greedy.
Radcliff wasn’t any better. He had lied to me all this time. He knew too. Everything had been a lie. Radcliff was right—I was too blind. Christian had taken my mother’s masterpiece from me without shame, claiming it as his own. My head spun, and my nose seemed invaded by spicy scents that burnt me.
“Why did you never tell me this?” I swallowed my anger and the pound of hatred tapping in my chest.
“It wasn’t my secret to tell. It would only hurt you. The past is best buried and—”
“The reason I came to Ravencliff Manor,” I cut him off, closing my eyes for a second to not give him the pleasure to witness my tears. I opened them again, determined to get the whole truth out this time. “Is that why you chose me to make the aphrodisiac? Because you knew about my mother.”
Radcliff nodded.
He had chosen me because of my mother’s talent, not the faith he had in me.
“Before meeting you on New Year’s Eve, yes,” he said as emotionless as he was.
Sweet Lily was consumed by a volcano about to erupt and starved to inflict chaos. Radcliff had awoken my darkest side, and now, they’d all pay for it—that was a promise. I eclipsed all my emotions, locking them inside my Pandora’s box. I would unleash them when I was ready to get justice.
“I entered into a war with Carmin for what he did to you.” Radcliff clenched his fist, his face hard. “I’m on your side, Lily.”
“It’s not your war.” My eyes reddened, and anger shouted a rush of adrenaline through my veins. “I need to go.”
He held my wrist, keeping me from leaving. “Don’t.”
“You can’t give me one reason to stay.” I was done with my disillusion.
He thought this through before articulating one word that seemed to rip him apart. “Me.”
“Oh yeah?” I paused with a raised eyebrow, the corners of my lips turning up. “Will you choose me over the aphrodisiac, Radcliff?”
