That Killed Us 20

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under her name, no craving for touch, nothing at all. 

“So you’ve been lying,” he said, voice rough with clarity. “I must’ve been out of my mind to believe something that absurd–and I used it as an excuse to hurt Lydia, over and over, in the name of paying you back.” 

Panic cracked Sienna’s poise. Tears spilled fast. “Chase, I’m sorry! I only lied because I liked you so much. Give me another chance- please?” 

7- 

“A chance?” He laughed once, mirthless. “You cost me Lydia. And you want my forgiveness?” 

Right there in the hallway he dialed again–this time the police. “I’d like to report a crime,” he said steadily. “Ongoing fraud and extortion.” 

When officers led Sienna away, she was still crying his name. He didn’t flinch. 

After that, Chase moved through his days like a shadow. Women reached out and he declined them all. Weeks blurred into months; months into years. 

Five years passed in a breath. 

He stepped into the family company and became a favorite of the press, young, brilliant, single. 

He buried himself in work, trying to grind the ache down to dust. But when the city went quiet, Lydia’s face found him anyway. 

Then, one afternoon, a text from his high school class rep lit his screen.[ reunion this weekend. Heard Lydia Rivers is back in town and might show.] 

Chase’s grip tightened around the phone. His heart kicked hard. 

Five years. At last, a chance to see her again. 

Whatever it took, he would be there. 

Chapter20