Page 131 of The Restoration Program

“I know about the jewelry store, Ryan.”

She watched the blue of his eyes shift as her statement sank in. “What jewelry store?”

He dared to deny it. Dared to look down at her like that, like she was delusional.

Nicole felt small as a mouse. Her voice, even smaller—but it did not shake. “I checked our statement. All I know is that you spent three hundred dollars last month atMystify,and… and I’m not wearing it.”

His expression went distant. He was calculating what to say, whether to deny it or try a different approach. A second later, he rolled his eyes. “There you go,” he groaned. “Overanalyzing every fucking move I make. Since when have you been tracking my purchases?”

She didn’t budge. “What did you buy from there?”

Ryan scoffed. “It was my mom’s birthday. I wanted to send her something.”

“Oh, really? We’re getting by on a single paycheck, and you’re spending that kind of cash on someone you barely talk to three times a year?”

He threw his hand up. “You see? This is why I didn’t tell you! I know how you get when my family comes up. For the record, the Restoration has actually brought my parents and me a little closer.”

She bit her lip to keep from taking the bait. The attempt to take control was plain on his face. He wanted her to argue thathewas the one who cut ties with his family, not her. The more they talked in circles, the easier it would be to bury theMystifypurchase under a heap of ugly words.

“You’re lying,” she said simply.

His eyes turned so cold, she swore the temperature dropped. Suddenly, she was terrified to sit in the palm of his hand. But shying away would mean surrender. She raised her eyebrows, daring him to try and talk his way out of this one.

“Why don’t you come right out and say what you’re accusing me of?” he hissed. “It’s not my fault you’re insecure enough to default to that.”

“This hasnothingto do with insecurity!”

“Which is it? I’m too much for you, or you think you’re not enough for me?” he snapped back. His grip twitched around her. “Which one made you think it was okay to stick your tongue down that Mexican bastard’s throat?”

A painful jolt arced through her. All this time, she had carried the grateful assumption that he hadn’t seen. Nicole looked at her feet.

“Gonna deny it?” he pressed.

“It was a mistake,” she said quietly. “Just a kiss. I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

“You think I didn’t see what he was trying to do? Steal you away on his little escapade?” His words were breathless and colored with effortless rage. “I’myour world, not that loser. You’remine. Can you try to get that through your fucking head, Nicki?”

Each word was like a blow. Nicole choked on a sob. “I’m sorry! I was spiraling and lost, and… he made me feel like aperson.”

“I’m the reason you’re still even a person at all.”

Her wet eyes snapped up. “And now, all you want in return is nothing but smiles, obedience, and no questions ever,” she said, venom dripping from her tone again. “Way to go. You know what, I really do hope we make it back into the group. Then we can gush about what a goodowneryou are.” She shoved herself out of his hand as shock flooded his expression. “Lie to my face about the jewelry if you want—and whatever else you’re up to. I know when you’re bullshitting me, Ryan.”

The fingers clutching her wouldn’t budge. She shot a fiery look up at him and opened her mouth tell him tofucking let go. But all the breath was forced from her lungs as his hand clamped tighter. Her ribs barely resisted cracking, but a single twitch could change that.

“Ry-an,” she gasped, kicking weakly.

He shuddered, expression blazing with something animal. He yanked her closer, hard enough to give her whiplash.

“We didn’t finish,” he said, and his voice sounded a mile away as shock rushed over her.

“What the fuck are you—”

Nicole tapered off as realization struck her. For a moment, her mind went blank. Not a single thought—only static.

He finished— she didn’t know how long had passed. Ryan’s grip loosened, but she didn’t bolt. She slumped forward against his fingers, breaths shallow. Suspended in that moment, her instincts were shut off and frayed beyond repair.

Her shallow breaths became full body shudders, more violent with each intake of air.