For Better, For Worse: The Serpent's Contract Wife

Chapter 127: Walking Away From The Truth

I have had it, and I’m not about to prolong this by having dinner. I chose silence as my best response, and the twins went on a rambling argument.

How nice.

I might as well get my popcorn ready because it seems to me like I haven’t had enough of the show yet.

The twins had a way of disagreeing with everything, and this was the worst time possible to start that.

I was exhausted, and I could barely keep my eyes open, but their chatter was like bees in my ear. It was not something I could easily wave off.

Maybe I should have gone and voted; at least they won’t chatter while stuffing crabs in their mouth.

I heard a vibration, and it jolted me. God, I really needed to stop being jumpy, but it was my perfectly normal response to anything.

I reached into my bag, took out my phone, and swiped to unlock it.

Caleb: Don’t forget we have to see today.

My pulse raced the instant I read the text. I had completely forgotten about this. Caleb had texted me two days ago that he had found my sister’s diary, and we should meet at the library.

The three dots popped up, and another text came through.

Caleb: I couldn’t make it to your performance. I’d have loved to be there.

I narrowed my eyes. I didn’t realize he knew about that, but I guess something like that wouldn’t go unnoticed.

Caleb: Let’s meet at the library. I’ll wait for you.

The dots didn’t appear anymore. I finally put my phone down, a sharp, shaky breath escaping from my lips.

I stiffened when I locked gaze with Dante through the rearview mirror.

Quickly, I moved my attention to the window, keeping it there until we arrived at the manor. I was the first to get out, climbing the stone steps into the house.

I got to my room and closed the door behind me, tossing my bag on the bed. With crossed arms, I paced.

I should probably wait a while before I head to the library... to Caleb. That diary was a part of my sister I never knew was missing, a part that might make everything make sense or offer some clarity to this jumbled mess I was stuck in.

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes. I had to do this, even though I didn’t want to.

After waiting for a few more minutes, I left my room.

My steps were slow, and even though it took forever, I reached the library. From beneath the door, I could see the lights, which meant Caleb was in there, waiting for me.

It’s just a door away, and I would have my truth. Annabeth had always written everything in her diary, and I knew how important it was. I would see things in there... possibly things my sister never told me.

I reached for the brass doorknobs, my hands squeezing around them. I was halfway to prying the door open, but I stopped.

My body went numb instantly, my heart pounding in my eardrums. Then I backed away.

It started as simple as moving, and before I realized it, I was walking away from the one thing that could give me truth.

~☆~

I spent the next few days mulling over why I walked away from that window of opportunity. But it didn’t do me any good. Caleb didn’t send any other text, either.

Why did I walk away? Was I too scared of the truth?

I don’t even know what the truth was anymore. Being scared of it was a sorry excuse.

"Going somewhere?"

At the sudden voice, my hand froze before I could reach for the door. I turned sharply to Dante, coming down from the stone steps.

"Dante."

He got close, eyeing the car and then me, all dressed up for the academy.

"What?" I asked with a frown, despising how his eyes lingered on me.

"Here I thought a break was necessary after the performance."

I blinked, taken aback by his words. He strangely knew how my academy works.

"Necessary, yes, but that doesn’t mean a must," I replied.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Besides, I have a meeting with Mrs. Valmont, and it’s important."

That lie came off more smoothly than expected, and I hope to keep it that way.

"I’ll drive you."

I thought I could avoid this, but I guess not.

"Key."

I hesitated before I gave it to him.

"I’m not in the mood to tolerate you, so I’d prefer Luca drives me and not you."

"Then you don’t have a choice because I don’t know where his ass is."

I clenched my teeth, getting into the car. Dante closed the door after him, but he didn’t start the car.

"I don’t have all day," I said, already getting irritated because I wanted to end this as soon as possible.

Today was the day that was written on the card, and I was meant to be at the academy. I wasn’t just mulling over my decision to walk away from the truth these last few days, but about how today would play out.

"What were you doing at the library a few days ago?" Dante asked out of the blue.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me." He pinned me with his light brown eyes.

I gulped, looking away. "To read a book, but I changed my mind."

"See, that’s funny, given that same day you were exhausted from the performance. Why would reading a book help with that?"

"Careful there, you sound like you care. That’s not very sunny of you."

"Anastasia."

I veered my eyes to him, keeping my face as straight as possible. "Everyone has their way of dealing with stress. A book helps. You should try it sometime."

I could tell he had more to say, but for some reason, he said nothing else and started the car as though I wasn’t in an interrogation a few seconds ago.

My heart raced as I tried to calm my nerves.

Now wasn’t really a good time for his suspicion.