Page 20 of Wicked Truths
Another message.
SweetJustice: But fail and this video will be sent to Dominic de Luca on day eight. I advise you to comply with my wishes.
The next message reads:Is this video innocent or the start of something big?
I swallow as I click on the video.
It shows me with Mr. Anderson as he walks me from the restaurant to his car. His hand is on my lower back and his gaze is on the side of my face. He opens his car door and presses a tender kiss on my cheek. I get in the car and he gets in the driver’s seat before he drives away.
“You okay,” Dom asks. “You look pale.”
“My stomach…” I rush away to the nearest bathroom, throw myself on the floor and hurl up my breakfast that I can’t keep inside me any longer.
His heavy footsteps aren’t far behind me.
“Amara.” Dom’s voice is soft as he strokes his palm over my back. “Are you sure you’re…” The hesitation in his voice is too much. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “It’d have to be an immaculate conception.”
His hand stills.
I grab my phone and push it into my short’s pocket.
With Con now off the cards, I need a new plan.
Because Mr. Anderson is not the person I worry Dom will find out about.
My bedroom door opens and my sister Milly comes rushing in. She’s wearing a bikini with a see-through dress over it.
Normally, she looks so happy.
Not so much today.
“Are you coming to the beach today? Or calling off again?” she asks.
“I’m coming today,” I say, forcing a smile. “I need to get out of this house.”
Milly nods, but her usual sparkle is missing. No quips about my hermit tendencies. No teasing about how pale I’m getting from hiding in my room. Something’s wrong.
“What’s going on, Mills? You seem off.”
She slumps onto my bed, picking at a loose thread on my comforter. “Romeo and I broke up last night.”
“Oh, Mills.” I sit beside her and wrap an arm around her shoulders. She leans into me, sniffling.
“But it’s for the best. This life isn’t for you. You’re too free and this is...it’s suffocating sometimes, isn’t it?” I squeeze her tighter.
“I love him, Amara. But his family...our family...everything’s so complicated.” She wipes her eyes. “I’m thinking of visiting Dad for a few days while uni’s on break. I miss him.”
My chest tightens at the mention of our biological father. “That’s actually a great idea. Get some space, clear your head.”
“You should come too!” Milly perks up slightly. “We could both use the break.”
I shake my head, thinking of SweetJustice’s seven-day deadline. “I can’t right now. But you should definitely go.”
Her phone chimes, and she checks it. “Frankie’s on her way.” She hops up and heads to my closet, pulling out my beach bag and tossing it onto the bed. “Get ready. Ten minutes.”
She throws in my favorite blue bikini, sunscreen, and a towel. For a moment, I see a flash of the old Milly. The same Milly who takes charge, and makes plans.
