Page 84 of Bitter Truths

Katie first. Pretty, vapid Katie. Start with her fingers. One by one. Then get creative.

Rebecca next. The one who always had nasty gossip about everyone. I’d cut out her tongue first, then work my way down.

And Liz. Sweet, innocent Liz who fooled everyone with her wide-eyed act. I’d save her for last. Make her watch what happened to the others first.

“Bianca.” The sound of Weller breaks through the haze of my violent fantasy. “You’re scaring us.”

The guilt consumes me, cutting through the rage. While I was learning to survive in the mountains, building a new life, finding peace, hating them—they were here. Trapped. Suffering. Missing me.

My fault. All my fault.

“I should have come back.” The words stick to my tongue because the new reality that’s crystallizing in my head is that I abandoned them. “I should have helped you. I should have⁠—”

Owen scoffs. “Should have what? Taken on four powerful assholes and a doctor with unlimited resources? You were eighteen.”

“Look at me, Bianca.” The command in Weller’s tone makes my eyes snap to his automatically. His hazel gaze burns into mine, unflinching and fierce.

“We do not blame you for doing what you needed to do to protect yourself, Bianca. We don’t associate you with anything that’s happened. What could a young girl with no allies and no resources have accomplished except becoming another victim?”

But their reassurances bounce off me. I’m not buying it. The guilt has its claws in deep now, and it’s not letting go.

“It doesn’t matter.” I sound lifeless. “It’s still my fault. She’s still punishing you because of me.”

Freddie reaches toward me, then stops. “Bianca⁠—”

“What’s she going to do when she gets home?” I sound panicky. “When she realizes you’ve been with me? She will know. She’s not fucking stupid.”

They exchange glances, and I can see the truth in their faces. Whatever Whitney will do, it’s going to be bad.

Weller works his jaw. “We can handle whatever happens. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Bullshit.” I’m on my feet, pacing. “Don’t lie to me. What will she do?”

Owen opens his mouth, then closes it.

“WHAT WILL SHE DO?”

She’s going to make them pay for this. And it will be worse than anything they’ve ever known before.

This has to end now.

My mind is already whirling, making lists. Planning. Katie, Rebecca, and Liz are first. They will regret ever touching what is mine.

Then Whitney. A snake who thinks she’s untouchable. She’ll find out she’s not.

The fathers. Dr. Montgomery. Anyone else who gets in my way.

Whatever it takes. Whatever I have to become.

This is more than enough to take them all down, but I need to know every transgression.

“Is there anything else she’s made you do?” I whip around to face them, looking into their eyes and searching for more truths I don’t want to hear. But I have to know.

Weller’s hand rises in a calming gesture. “Bianca, please⁠—”

“What else, Weller? How else has she hurt you?”

Freddie’s breathing starts coming faster. Shallower.