Resent, Reject, Regret

Chapter 42 Running Away? With Whom?

“If this is your revenge on me for stubbornly keeping my child, then shouldn’t his death have pleased you enough?! I was incarcerated for a year! I’ve lost everything I’ve ever had! Everything… God… What will it take for you to be satisfied? To let me go?

“I’ve already regretted ever taking up the… the toxic mantle of being the fake Mrs. Brighthall, and I don’t want it anymore… Let me go, I’m begging you… I don’t want it anymore. I don’t want to be Mrs. Brighthall anymore…”

She swooned after that.

Brendan released her. His chest was wrangled in pain, a pain so great that he could not contain it. It pressed against his lungs, denying him any chance to breathe.

What was going on?

He had always seen himself as an ubermensch unstoppable and almost omnipotent . And yet he could not answer this one simple question. His mind was beleaguered by sheer frustration. He stood on the balcony and began to empty his cigarette pack, as though he was trying to self-medicate, however temporarily, with nicotine.

Out of all these inscrutable knots, Brendan was sure of

lover. She had nothing left, after all. Not her eyes or her looks, not even her mother. Sterling might claim to love her now, but Brendan was sure his love was as fleeting as an impulse. All he needed from Deirdre was docility. In exchange for her submission , he would gladly take care of her for the

much time had passed. All she knew was that her phone was ringing, and that is what woke her up. She opened her eyes and was immediately assaulted by

sharply upon recognizing it all. Deirdre’s hand felt its way to her phone. “Hello?” she asked, her voice hoarse and raspy. “Who’s this?” “Dee, it’s

made her wake up for good.

okay? Your voice sounds so… hoarse. Are you

memories, each of them ushering new chills into her bones. She clenched her fists and replied, “I’m okay. It’s been raining

should meet.” Sterling always

special kind of loving, gentle tone, but this was the first time he sounded grave and afraid. “Every time my mind drifted to the thought of you being caged by t-t that psychopath, I just… God, I couldn’t help feeling anxious! I’m just glad he at least granted you the freedom to answer calls. You’re not homebound too, are

this nightmare. She could not –and

“A-Alright.

told Sterling the address, took some clothes out of

“>

Sterling Fuller appeared —a frantic man, his back hunched as he paced toward his destination as quickly as he could. His eyes caught a glimpse of Deirdre in the distance and

skipped a few steps ahead and wrapped his arms around Deirdre, pulling her into him