Chapter Eleven The Truth Julian Refused to See
Julian couldn't breathe.
For seven years he had blamed Audrey.
For seven years he had imagined her pushing Sienna into the river.
But Sienna had never drowned.
His entire life had been built upon a lie.
He slowly turned toward Audrey.
"I..."
She raised her hand.
"Don't."
He lowered his eyes.
"I have no right to ask for forgiveness."
"No."
"You don't."
Her calm voice hurt far more than anger.
"You took seven years from me."
"You watched me love you."
"You asked me to marry you."
"And all that time..."
"...you were waiting to destroy me."
Julian closed his eyes.
Every accusation was true.
There was nothing he could say.
Clara reached for Audrey's hand.
"My dear..."
Audrey smiled sadly.
"I know none of this was your fault."
"But I can't stay here."
She stood.
"I'm leaving."
Julian instinctively stepped forward.
"Please."
She looked at him.
The kindness that had once filled her eyes was gone.
"When I screamed on our wedding night..."
"I wasn't afraid you would kill me."
"I was afraid..."
"...that the man I loved had never existed."
She quietly walked out the front door.
May you like
Julian didn't follow.
He knew he had lost that right.
