Page 28 of Paid With Innocence

“Megan, nothing happened!”

“Then why were you with her!?”

I’m not even thinking. My mouth is just moving. My emotions are in control.

I look past Orson and see Trish step out of the car. My stomach turns. God, I’m going to vomit.

“It was just a coincidence, babe,” Orson says, his voice soft. He walks over to me like a human approaching a frightened animal. “I was downtown at a…store, and Trish was next door at a boutique with another man.”

“Another date,” she adds, clearing her throat. “You know.”

Could this be true? I want to believe them so badly.

“But what about what Chuck said?” I blurt out.

Orson frowns. “Chuck? What do you mean? When did you see Chuck?”

My body is trembling as I wipe my tears on my sleeve. My vision blurs as I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

“He was here when I came downstairs. He told me about you and Trish!”

Orson’s frown deepens. He looks down briefly, like he’s analyzing something. Then it clicks.

“Baby, Chuck is pissed at me for not doing a business deal with him. This must be his way of trying to get back at me.”

My chest is heaving. Each breath burns like I’ve been inhaling smoke.

I want to believe him. Desperately. But is it because what he’s saying makes sense? Or because I’m thinking with my heart instead of my head?

“Fine, let’s just pretend I believe you,” I reply, stepping away from him. Trish looks more nervous than I’ve ever seen her before, and that’s saying something. I point at her. “How did you get here today? How’d you know where Orson lives? Who let you in?”

She twists her lips and looks at Orson. My stomach turns. I know that look.

It’s the look that Trish makes when she’s coming up with something—coming up with a lie.

“Don’t interrogate her, baby,” Orson chimes in, stepping in front of me and blocking my view. “Just listen to what I’m saying—”

“No, I want an answer!” I step around him so I can see Trish. “Answer me!”

Again, she glances at Orson like she’s waiting for him to step in and save her. “I…I tracked your phone and told the guard at the gate that I was your sister. He let me in.”

All the air leaves my lungs. My entire body deflates.

“Yeah, bullshit.”

Leaving my painting in the dirt, I grab my bags and head for the gate. There’s only so much of this I can take. It’s honestly a miracle I’m still standing. If I stay here any longer, I’m going to have a panic attack.

“Megan, wait.”

Orson rushes in front of me. His green eyes blaze, hitting me with the same energy I’ve always felt every time I stare into them.

I look away.

No. Don’t give in. He’s lying. They both are.

“Leave me alone.” I try to walk past him, but he blocks my path again.

“Okay, I admit it. I lied to you. We’ve both been lying to you.”