Chapter 14
562words
"All these years, I've been hiding like a coward, too scared to face what I did. I dumped all that pain on Nolan... I'm awful! I don't even deserve to look him in the eye. I failed Fred. I failed you. I failed Nolan! I'm the real monster—"
"So... that's why you've been faking it this whole time?!"
Nolan's voice cracked, raw and hoarse, eyes rimmed red.
He thought coming here might ease the guilt tearing him up over Hailey.
Instead, Claudia just hit him with the cruelest truth yet.
She flinched at the sound of his voice.
Spun around—and got hit with the full force of his rage.
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
She tried to dodge it, but Nolan wasn't that gullible boy anymore.
He charged forward, grabbing her arm. She struggled, panicked, but he didn't let go. His fury was wildfire, hot and out of control.
"What was your relationship with Donovan?! Tell me!"
His temples pounded. His jaw clenched so tight, his teeth practically cracked.
Claudia shook, terrified of the storm in front of her. She'd never seen him like this.
The pressure broke her.
She burst into tears and told him everything.
Donovan had never forced her. It was mutual.
"Why... why did you lie to me?" His voice cracked, shredded.
Claudia looked up, stunned by the hurt on his face.
He snapped.
"Why wait until now?! Do you even get—"
His fists balled, knuckles ghost-white, whole body shaking. The words choked.
Claudia collapsed, sobbing. "It was my fault. I failed them. I failed you."
Watching her fall apart like that—Nolan finally got a taste of real despair.
All he could think about was Hailey. What he'd done to her.
He wished it'd been him who jumped.
Claudia reached for his hand, begging.
He yanked back like she burned him.
Eyes stinging, chest tight.
Hailey was gone. He'd told himself he couldn't die.
He had to be the last one standing.
He got payback. Avenged his dad.
But now?
Revenge? Justice?
It was all a joke. A sick one.
He'd lost everything.
Nolan stormed out, tuning out Claudia's cries.
He punched the elevator button.
As the doors slid shut, a shadow slipped past.
***
Nolan sped home like a man on fire.
He stormed into his room, ripping through drawers, yanking out anything Hailey had ever touched.
He dove into her clothes, breathing deep like they were oxygen.
For so long, it was the only way he could sleep.
But now—no matter how hard he tried—the scent was gone.
Panic slammed into him. He looked wrecked, clinging to her clothes like a lifeline.
The bedroom door creaked.
Arms—soft, weightless—wrapped around him from behind.
"Hailey... that you?"
Nolan's voice cracked as he grabbed the hands.
No answer.
He spun around, wild.
Flipped her under him.
In seconds, he tore her clothes off.
Bodies tangled. Breathless moans filled the room.
Then, with no fight left, he gave in.
After, he slumped over her, drained.
Jordyn stared up at him, eyes full of something twisted and sweet.
Her fingers traced his face, slow and greedy.
"Nolan, forget Hailey. I'm the one who really loves you. If I had your baby... would you stay? Just be mine?"
She let out a soft laugh and kissed his forehead.
