Page 22 of Symphony for Lies (Tangled Truths #2)

The room was quiet, filled only with the symphony of our breaths.

Zane lay beside me, his arm heavy and possessive around my waist. His fingers curled slightly against my bare stomach as if his body refused to let go, even in sleep.

His steady, warm, rhythmic breathing ghosted over the back of my neck.

I was frozen.

My mind raced. My heartbeat was an erratic thumping in my chest.

I just had sex with him.

The words bounced chaotically in my skull, making my stomach twist in knots.

I had sex with Zane Cole.

Not just any sex. It had been a raw, overwhelming, unfiltered passion that left me shaking.

And we weren’t even together. I wasn’t his. And he wasn’t mine.

Mrs. Cole’s voice slithered through my mind, her warning dripping in venomous contempt. Stay away from my son.

A bitter laugh bubbled up in my throat. Well, we fucked. So, there’s that.

I inhaled sharply, forcing the thought away as I carefully, painstakingly began to untangle myself from Zane’s grip.

Even in sleep, his body sensed my movement. His fingers twitched, and his arm flexed, pulling me slightly closer before he sighed softly and loosened his hold.

I barely breathed as I slid away, the loss of his warmth making me shiver as I sat up, wincing at the soreness between my thighs.

My body ached everywhere. Muscles I didn’t know could hurt pulsed with a dull throb, a constant reminder of everything we had done.

I hastily gathered my scattered clothes, minus my ruined blouse, before slipping into the bathroom.

The moment I shut the door behind me, I exhaled and gripped the edge of the sink for support when my legs became unsteady.

My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, disheveled, untamed, and utterly wrecked. My lips were swollen, my skin flushed and littered with deep, possessive marks. His marks.

I swallowed hard, pressing a shaky hand to my chest as if I could steady the erratic beat of my heart.

What the hell had gotten into me?

Who even was I?

Heat rushed to my face as flashes of the night surged in my mind—Zane’s touch, his mouth, the way he had taken me apart like he had been starving for me. Like he needed me.

I gritted my teeth, turned on the faucet, and splashed cold water onto my face, hoping it would douse the lingering fire beneath my skin.

It didn’t.

I cleaned myself up as much as possible and dressed quickly, desperate to leave before he woke up.

My gaze flickered to the broken piano bench when I entered the dark living room. That fucking bench had caused everything. Yeah… I was blaming an inanimate object.

The books, the entire reason I had come to Zane’s place, were forgotten entirely on the floor.

I didn’t take a single one. I just wanted to get the hell out. I slipped my shoes on, grabbed my jacket, and walked out, shutting the door behind me as softly as possible.

The cool night air hit my skin, sharp and biting, making my mind clearer for the first time since I had woken up.

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to ignore the lingering warmth of his touch still imprinted on my skin, and started walking.

At least I knew where I needed to go.

Stacy lived just two streets away. I needed a friend to talk to. Someone who wouldn’t judge me.

I rang her doorbell, shifting on my feet, barely holding in the whirlwind of emotions clawing at my chest.

A few moments later, the door swung open, revealing Stacy in an oversized T-shirt, her red hair tied in a loose bun, and remnants of a green face mask still smudged on her cheek.

Her eyes widened in shock. “Amelia?”

Without hesitation, she yanked me inside, shutting the door behind us.

“I was not expecting you tonight.” She stepped back, giving me a once-over before narrowing her eyes.

I knew what she saw—the tangled hair, the bite marks, the flushed skin.

“I had sex with Zane.” The words tumbled from my lips in a rush before she could comment.

Silence.

Stacy blinked. Once. Twice.

“Okay. Wait. Am I dreaming? Or did you just say what I think you just said?”

I grabbed her arms, staring her dead in the eye. “No, it’s real. It fucking happened. ”

Her mouth dropped open, and out of nowhere, she squealed.

I watched in stunned horror as she spun in a circle, her hands flying to her head like she was about to have a meltdown. But the moment she realized I wasn’t celebrating, her excitement evaporated.

Her brows knitted together, and she pulled me into her arms.“Okay, okay, come here.” She rubbed my back soothingly before leaning back and deadpanning, “Do I need to kill him?”

A small laugh slipped past my lips, but I shook my head, melting into her embrace.

“Good,” she sighed, tugging me toward the bathroom. “First, get out of these clothes. And take a hot shower before you catch a cold.”

I didn’t argue.

The hot water did little to clear my head, but it washed away the tension in my muscles.

When I stepped out, Stacy was already waiting with a hairbrush and an oversized sleep shirt.

Without a word, she sat me down and brushed through my damp strands.

A little while later, we curled up on the couch, my fingers wrapped around a steaming bowl of instant ramen, which I ate like I hadn’t eaten in days.

My friend watched me silently, but I could feel the curiosity practically vibrating off of her.

When I finally set the bowl down and leaned back, I told her about the situation.

“So… Is this a bad thing?”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

She hugged a pillow to her chest. “I mean, Zane obviously likes you. And I have never seen you lose your composure over anyone like you do with him. ”

I exhaled sharply, reaching for my phone. Unlocking it, I pulled Mrs. Cole’s message and handed it to Stacy.

Her face darkened instantly. “What the fuck is wrong with this woman? Does Zane know?”

I shook my head.

“Honestly, I wanted as little to do with him as possible.”

She huffed, tossing my phone aside and grabbing my hand instead.

“Listen to me, Amelia. You don’t have to be with him if you don’t want to.

Stop beating yourself up. You’re an adult.

It happened. That alone doesn’t mean you are obligated to anything.

” She gave me a small smile.“And honestly? Who wouldn’t sleep with Zane if he actually set his mind to it? ”

Blushing, I cleared my throat. “Yeah, he’s… very persuasive.”

Stacy smirked. “Figured.” Her expression quickly shifted, eyes narrowing.“Okay. Now, the important part. Did he use protection?”

I hesitated before slowly shaking my head.

My friend’s lips pressed into a thin line as she stood up. She walked over to a drawer, rummaged through it, and then held out a small box to me.

“Here. Morning-after pill. Take it. And tomorrow, we’re going to the doctor.”

I took it without hesitation, swallowing it with the last bit of water in my cup.

Stacy pulled me into her arms again. “Everything is going to be okay, Amelia.” Her voice was steady, unwavering.

And for the first time… I actually believed it.

Sunlight spilled through the blinds, and the soft hum of the city waking up filtered through the window.

Stacy and I were curled up on the couch, having fallen asleep tangled in blankets. Our bodies ached from the awkward sleeping position, but neither of us complained as we shared breakfast and got ready for the day.

True to her word, she took me to the doctor.

As we sat in the waiting room, flipping through magazines like we weren’t at the doctor’s office for a morning-after emergency, I felt something shift inside me.

A small part of the weight that had been sitting on my chest since the previous night lifted a little.

After a quick stop at home to check on my grandmother and get a change of clothes, I returned to work.

The clinic was as chaotic as ever. Robert and Rita were busy at the front desk, and the area was filled with impatient pet owners holding leashes and carriers. I barely managed a greeting, trying to slip into the locker room to drop off my bag.

Rita stopped me with a knowing smirk.“Someone is waiting for you in the lounge.”

I frowned.

Robert grinned broadly, wiggling his brows. “He’s been here since this morning.”

My stomach clenched.

Please, please let it be Spencer. Or literally anyone else. But not Zane.

I swallowed hard, turning stiffly toward the waiting area. The moment I stepped inside, I froze.

Of course, he was sitting there, dressed in black. His hair was brushed back, with a few loose rogue strands over his forehead. And in his hands, he held a bouquet of red roses.

My stomach dropped.

Zane hadn’t noticed me; he looked deep in thought, almost troubled.

I cleared my throat to find my voice, and instantly, his head snapped up. His dark eyes found mine, and for a brief moment, something like relief flickered in them.

He stood up and rubbed the back of his neck. “Morning.” He sounded almost uncertain.

“Morning. What are you doing here?”

Before he could answer, an older man entered the lounge with his dog. I stepped aside, but I could feel everyone staring. Too many people, too many listening ears.

I opened my mouth to tell him we needed to talk privately, but out of nowhere, he asked, “Was I that bad?”

The elderly man paused mid-step. And I heard Robert snort loudly, barely suppressing laughter.

“What?”

Zane’s lips curled into a lazy smirk. “Was I that—?”

I slammed my hand over his mouth. “Don’t say it.”

Without thinking, I grabbed his wrist and yanked him outside. He let me pull him along like it was second nature to do so.

I let go the moment we were outside and stepped back, desperately needing space.

“What the hell was that?” I snapped.

Zane leaned casually against the wall with the roses still in his hand, looking unbothered.But his expression was serious. “Why did you leave? Was I bad? Did I hurt you?” The words came out soft, almost hesitant or… afraid.

“No, no, Zane.” I shook my head hastily. “It was… it was good. And you didn’t hurt me. It’s just…”I bit my lip. “I thought… we’re too different.”