And so we slipped into the elevator to the sixth floor, heading toward Hera and Craig’s apartment.
“A surprise, huh?” I stared up at the mirrored ceiling of the elevator.
“No lies there,” Ransom muttered.
“What if Craig tries to attack me?” I sucked in a quick breath.
“Then he’ll meet his premature and extremely painful death in my hands.”
The elevator slid open. We both walked out.
My legs were shaking, my palms sweaty, but astonishingly, no part of me wanted to turn around and run away. I wanted to see this through.
When I reached Hera and Craig’s door, I raised my fist and rapped four times. The door swung open immediately, as if someone were already expecting us on the other side.
Hera.Sweaty and gaunt-looking, probably after a spin class. Her Alo Yoga attire clung to her boney figure. Her hair was a mess. Her mouth was twisted in a bitter smile.
“Came for your victory dance?” She bared her teeth.
“Is that what you think this is?” I narrowed my eyes at her.
How delusional could a person be to think any part of this was fun for me? Mom and Dad were clueless. But Hera? She was disgusting.
Hera leaned a hip against the door, taking a sip of her bottled water. “Well, my husband is currently being taken into custody on attempted rape allegations, and I’m here barricaded in my apartment waiting for Mom and Dad to send their PR staff to clean up this mess, so, yeah. I think you’re having a great day. Finally, good, respectful Hera messed up and Hallion comes out on top.”
Craig was in custody? Already? That was fast. And also weird. Maybe I wasn’t the first one who’d complained? Maybe there were others?
“You’re insane.” My fingers twitched, begging to grab her and shake her. “And think very highly of yourself.”
“No,youare jealous.” She stabbed my chest with her finger. “And you’re also out of here.”
She tried to slam the door in my face. Ransom reached a flattened palm against it, pushing it all the way open and sauntering inside with little effort. I followed him. I wasn’t going to leave until I told her my side of the story. Not because I cared about her opinion—but because she deserved to be tormented by the truth. It wasn’t about hurting her—it was about standing up for myself.
“You’re trespassing!” Hera exclaimed.
“Indeed.” Ransom headed for the kitchen, opening the fridge casually, fixing himself a lemonade. “Even still, my guess is you’re not going to call the police and report your sister’s visit right now. You know, considering the circumstances.”
She stared at him with eyes full of fire and wrath. I stepped into her line of vision, snapping my fingers in her face.
“Focus,” I ordered.
“On what?” she cried out. “It’s obvious to all, Craig didn’t do it. It’s just a lie you made. I know about your little fling when you were in college. He told me! He may be a cheat, but he is not that kind of person. He—”
“He first molested me when I was fourteen,” I started, undeterred. Her mouth fell open.
“What?”
“And it went on for years. As recent as a few weeks ago, the day of your wedding rehearsal and the mysterious allergy. But I’m guessing you were onto him one of the later times he did it, and he told you I seduced him, right? That I wanted it. That Iaskedfor it, even. Which is why you hate me so much these days.”
It all started to make sense to me now. Her behavior toward me. Toward Craig. She thought we were lovers.
Her face contorted in recognition. As if everything finally made sense now. Something else lurked behind her blue eyes. A vacant, hollow sadness I’d never seen before.
Transfixed on me, she collapsed on the arm of the sofa for support. “I…I…I didn’t…I never thought…”
“And you never asked,” I said pointedly.
“You’re right.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I just accepted his version, swallowed my pride, and moved on, thinking you must hate me so much to do this to me and my relationship. Please tell me everything, Hallie. Please.”