Uncovering You 5: Confessions by Scarlett Edwards

Author:Scarlett Edwards [Edwards, Scarlett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Edwards Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

I reel back, breaking away from his touch.

“What?” I stammer. “What are you talking about? Jeremy, what’s he talking abou…”

The remainder of my words die on my tongue as I get a look at Stonehart beside me. He’s sitting straight, proud and triumphant in the moment. His eyes shine at me in their blackness, and the smug, knowing, satisfied smile that tugs on the corners of his lips tells me everything I need to know.

Paul is telling the truth.

All of a sudden, it becomes difficult to breathe. My chest tightens, and a horrible nauseous feeling builds in my stomach.

My vision blurs. The lights in the room become vague, indistinctive points in a swelling darkness. My mind retreats, burrowing itself somewhere far away. Somewhere safe and distant and very, very far.

A lifeless gray starts to envelop me like a warm blanket. It offers escape. It offers safety.

But I can’t retreat. Not now. I’m stronger than that. I have to be.

It takes all the willpower I possess to claw my way back to the surface. Tides and eddies of the strongest suppressed emotions threaten to pull me down. But I fight through them.

Eventually, my eyes regain their focus. I am back in the little claustrophobic chamber of a room.

Stonehart is speaking.

“…in accordance to our prior arrangement. I have been told that you have been on your best behavior, Paul. Consider this, the fulfilment of my promise to you, as the final Token of Good Behavior you will receive.”

Bile builds in my throat. Stonehart gave Paul tokens, too?

Paul nods eagerly. “Of course. Of course! I understand. I just did not expect to see Lilly… my precious Lilly…”

He starts tearing up again.

“How?” I whisper. “I mean you… you’re really… my father?”

“Yes,” he says through joyous tears. “Yes, Lilly. I am!”

The tightness in my chest threatens to make a comeback. “Where were you?” I choke out. “When I was growing up. When I was alone. Where were you?”

“I’m so sorry,” Paul says. He sinks to his knees. “I’m sorry for everything, Lilly. For all that I’ve done. For all that I haven’t given you.”

Another change comes over Paul. Now, it’s like I am the only one in the room for him. Stonehart might as well not exist.

How did he get into such a fragile mental state? I wonder in a daze. What happened to him in the ten years since I saw him last?

“You saved me once,” I speak, nearly breathless. “That summer in the woods.”

“You remember!” Paul gasps. “God bless you. You remember!”

“Why didn’t you tell me…” my voice hitches under stain of all the emotions I’m trying to keep in check, “…Why didn’t you tell me who you were? You always ignored me! That entire summer at the cabin, you ignored me! Why did you always…” a sob comes out, “…always ignore me?”

“Lilly.” Stonehart’s voice directs my attention to him. “Remember what I said. There is no need to yell. Paul will answer your questions so long as I allow it.”

I give him a venomous glare.

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