Chapter Fourteen The Woman Behind the Lie
Emily forced Audrey toward the edge of the forest.
Rain soaked both women.
"You ruined everything," Emily said quietly.
Audrey shook her head.
"I never even knew you hated me."
Emily smiled.
"I never hated you."
"I hated everyone he loved."
"He was supposed to choose me."
Audrey finally understood.
"This was never about Sienna."
Emily laughed.
"No."
"It was always about Julian."
Seven years earlier...
Emily had secretly confessed her feelings to Julian.
He kindly turned her down.
The next day...
She saw Julian and Sienna embracing after Sienna had received a job offer in Richmond.
Emily assumed they were in love.
Blinded by obsession, she confronted Sienna near the river.
The argument turned violent.
Sienna fell backward, striking her head against a large rock.
Emily panicked.
Instead of calling for help...
She dragged the body into the flooded river.
Then she spent years creating a different story.
Forged diary pages.
Anonymous letters.
Altered police statements.
Threats.
Everything had one purpose.
Convince Julian that Audrey had destroyed the woman he loved most.
Then...
Use his grief to destroy Audrey.
Julian's truck skidded onto the muddy road.
He jumped out before the vehicle stopped.
"Emily!"
She turned slowly.
"You came."
He looked at Audrey.
Then back at Emily.
"It's over."
Emily smiled sadly.
"No."
"It ends the way it always should have."
She raised the revolver.
Julian stepped in front of Audrey without hesitation.
"Don't."
Tears rolled down Emily's face.
"I waited seven years."
"I loved you."
Julian shook his head.
"No."
"You loved an idea."
"You never loved me."
For the first time...
Emily's expression broke.
Police sirens echoed through the valley.
Detective Brooks and several deputies surrounded the clearing.
Emily looked around.
There was nowhere left to run.
She slowly lowered the gun.
"I never meant..."
Her voice faded.
"I just wanted someone..."
"...to choose me."
She dropped the weapon.
The deputies moved in quietly.
Without resistance.
May you like
Without another word.
Emily Carson was finally arrested.
