Page 177 of Beautiful Lies

I drop to my knees and shake her shoulder, trying to rouse her, but there’s no movement.

And no breath.

My God. She’s not breathing.

“Mom. Please, Mom.” My hands shake as I check her breathing again to be sure. When I come up with nothing, I fumble desperately at her wrist, her neck, anywhere I can find a pulse.

Nothing.

No, no, no.

This can’t be happening. A scream claws up my throat, ragged and strangled, as the horror crashes over me.

“Mom!” I cry out, finally finding my voice. “Mommy, please wake up! Please. Please. Please.”

But she doesn’t.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Knox

It’s just after sunset.

My sources finally tracked Chad down.

I pull up outside his apartment building and kill the engine on my motorcycle.

He’s been out all day, slipping through the cracks, making himself a ghost. But fifteen minutes ago, he walked into his apartment.

I guess I’d make myself scarce, too, if I were in his shoes. He’s not entirely stupid. He would have at least considered that I’d find outheleaked the information to the press.

From what the cybersecurity team found, I’m sure he knows about the marriage contract, too.

If that’s the case, I don’t know what he plans to do with it. Nothing more has happened today.

Maybe that will be tomorrow’s headline. One scandal a day.

Dorian wanted to send the cops, but I wanted to deal with Chad myself. Man to man.

I get off my bike and make my way toward the building. Rage has consumed me all fucking day. It doesn’t help that I haven’t been able to reach Isla. I’ve been calling all day.

Earlier, the phone rang, but now it goes straight to voicemail. It’s clear she doesn’t want to speak to me.

My sources tracked her going to her mother’s place, so I decided to leave her alone and call off my watch dogs. She deserves some peace from me. Some privacy and space.

Just for today. I’ll allow her the rest of the night to breathe and process. But come tomorrow… I have to see her. I won’t make the mistake of leaving things unsettled between us for too long.

I’m still conflicted about what to do, but that doesn’t mean I won’t fight for her.

I walk inside the building and take the stairs two at a time.

When I reach Chad’s floor, I try to calm myself so I won’t choke the life from his miserable body.

That motherfucker exposed me to ruin what I have with Isla. Even though I’m fully to blame, he’s riled me up in the worst way because he trapped me in my own game.

I guess I can’t fault him too much. Because again. My fault.

I just hate that he called me out. Him—the worm.