Page 34 of Symphony for Lies (Tangled Truths #2)

I walked to the bridge. I hadn’t been there in a while, not since I’d run into Tristan. Back then, my worries had been different. I had been consumed by the poisoning cases.

I leaned against the cold metal railing, my eyes drifting over the water’s smooth surface that was only disturbed by the occasional sway of tall reeds.

I shouldn’t believe in rumors? That wasn’t just rumors. Their relationship had been announced publicly.

Mrs. Cole warned me from the beginning.

And I was the fool.

The home wrecker, as she so kindly put it.

My eyes stung. No. I wouldn’t cry over him. Never.

I bit down on my lip.

Rita was right . Better now than later.

I could bury the pain. Lock the memories deep inside and forget they ever existed.

Yes. A man wouldn’t be the reason I broke.

My phone vibrated for the hundredth time that day. I ignored it. I didn’t care if a murderer was still free. I didn’t care about what was happening in my town anymore.

I just wanted peace. A moment to myself.

I walked through the park, past the pavilion, where life had resumed as if nothing had ever happened.

Slowly, I trudged up the small hill, listening to the rustling leaves, the birds chirping, and the soft murmur of people passing by.

Life moved on. So, why did it feel like I was stuck?

My arms trembled from the cold. My fingers were numb. But I stayed put until the sky turned orange and the sun dipped below the horizon.

Then I went home.

As I approached my house, I spotted Zane leaning against his bike, and my body betrayed me before my mind could react. A familiar warmth spread through my chest. He looked so damn good.

I didn’t want my pulse to race. But it did.

No.

I dug my nails into my palm.

No.

I wouldn’t let myself feel like that.

As if he sensed my presence, Zane lifted his gaze from his phone, his lips curling into a soft smile until he got a good look at my face.

He walked toward me, and his warm hands cupped my cold cheeks.“You’re freezing. Why the hell is your jacket open?” His voice was laced with concern. “Come inside—”

I pushed him away.

He froze, his eyes searching mine. “Amelia. What’s wrong?”

“Don’t touch me. Ever again,” I managed to say steadily.

His pupils dilated, and his face fell like I had punched the air out of his lungs.Just as quickly, he reached for me again, but I stepped back.

“What happened?” he asked, voice cracking.

I turned to leave, but Zane caught my wrist.

“Amelia. Talk to me.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. It’s over. Leave me alone.” My voice was so cold even I barely recognized it.

He looked devastated. For a moment, we just stood there, staring at each other.

“Is this about Tristan? Did you save me just so you could get him out? Is that why you’re breaking up with me?” His voice was so serious.

A hollow laugh escaped me.Then another and another until I was laughing so hard I had to clutch my stomach.

Zane just stared, his eyes burning with ridiculous jealousy.

When I finally calmed, I yanked my wrist from his grip. “That’s right, Zane. I risked my damn life to help Tristan. That probably still sounds better than being an unwitting home wrecker.”

Zane’s brow furrowed. At first, he looked confused, but then he sighed in realization.“This is about Ella, isn’t it?”

The way he said her name sent a violent wave of rage crashing through me.

“I told you, don’t believe rumors.”

He reached for me. But I stepped back.

Two full steps. Two whole arms lengths of distance.

Finally, he understood.

His brows knitted together, and his shoulders fell slightly.

“I will never be the other woman,” I stated firmly.

His hands curled into fists. “There never was another. It was always you. Only you. No one else could ever take your place.” His voice was desperate.

“Then you should’ve told me. ”

His lips pressed into a thin line.“Amelia, I didn’t care about it because it meant nothing to me.” His body was strung tight with tension. “My mother planned everything behind my back. Without my consent. This is not something I agreed to.”

I didn’t budge, not really caring about any excuse he could give.

“I didn’t want to burden you with my problems because—”

“And you think this is better?”

Zane blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“You think this is better?” I repeated, my voice eerily calm.

“No! I thought I could fix it without you ever knowing.”

I chuckled dryly. “And if I never found out? Would it have just… never happened?”

“If I had told you, you never would have been with me in the first place.”

I felt a piece of me crack in half.“So, you took that risk.”

His silence was answer enough.

I inhaled deeply, tilting my head toward the night sky before looking back at him.“Zane, I lost two of my jobs. Someone even tried to bribe my boss at the clinic to fire me, too.”

His eyes widened in shock.

“I think it was your mother.”

He didn’t say a word. Didn’t deny it. Didn’t try to reason with me.

“Think about it. If you really feel like I’m overreacting, then remember your reaction to Tristan.”

His expression hardened.

“The difference is…” I exhaled shakily. “…I have nothing going on with him. But you… even if you aren’t with Miss. Aria, to the world, you’re engaged.”

Saying those words physically hurt like forcing broken glass down my throat. I took another breath, but it did nothing to ease the weight pressing on my chest.

“And me?” I laughed bitterly, feeling humiliation settle deep in my soul. “I’m the bitch who went after an engaged man.” The words tasted like poison on my tongue. “I don’t want anything to do with the Cole family. Nor with the Aria family. Ever again. So, leave.”

I turned around and walked away. I heard him say my name. A plea, maybe an apology, but I didn’t care. Not anymore.

Grandma was standing in the hallway, waiting.Her face was soft with understanding and pity.

I forced a tired smile onto my lips but didn’t say a word as I walked past her, heading straight upstairs.

In the bathroom, I peeled off my cold clothes and ignored the girl in the mirror who was staring back at me with empty eyes.

The shower was scalding hot, but I barely felt it as I scrubbed myself clean like I could wash away everything.

I went straight to my room, and a few minutes later, my grandmother knocked on my door before entering.

“I read it in the newspaper.”Her voice was quiet, laced with regret. “If I had known about the dress…” She pressed her lips together. “I never would have made it for her.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and pulled her into a hug. “You did good work.”

The pressure in my chest swelled, but I kept my mouth shut. Kept the emotions buried deep.

My grandmother climbed into bed beside me, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.

Because of her, I didn’t feel so alone.