to the right people, I can fuck him seven ways to Sunday. He’ll pay for what he did to Abby. We’re going to bury that asshole.
Would she be willing to talk to the police?
My heart stops. I can’t put her through that again. If I do this—catch the fucker—I’ve got to do it without Abby.
HIB security could be the answer. I just need to research more about them. They might be able to help me in more ways than I can imagine. The price doesn’t matter.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Abby
“Sterling,” I greet him entering the house. “Why are you here?”
He shrugs.
“I called Mom last night,” Wes’ voice resonates through the house. I look around and find him outside, sitting by the patio. “It didn’t make sense to me that she didn’t know.”
The words ring in my head like a cymbal crash. Did Linda have any idea? I find my strength and walk toward the backdoor like a skinless snake on broken glass. I lean against the door frame. He’s sitting by the table focusing on his computer.
“Did you tell her?” I square my shoulders shooting him a venomous look.
He shakes his head. “She already knew because of Ava’s forensic report. Mom and Dad assumed but never pushed you to tell them any details.”
That’s a freaking lie. They pushed me to talk. Linda insisted on therapy. She asked me if something had happened to me that night. If the man had touched me. I responded with the truth.
“No, that guy never touched me.” I hid the rest.
“Do you know that the report says, Ava Lyons-Stanley?”
My eyes open wide, and I shake my head.
“Nothing in those documents make sense. Corbin said that he loved you two like his own. I have so many questions. I find it strange that after the forensic report they didn’t question him again.” He shrugs, glued to his computer. “Anyway, Mom worries about you and for some reason she thought it’d be a good idea to have Sterling with us.”
The Wes who listened to my story is gone. This version of him is controlling and doesn’t care about the people around him—including me. I hoped I was wrong and that he wouldn’t look at me differently, but I’d already felt him changing as I told my story. Our bond snapped like a fragile twig being stepped on by a child. I lost him, or I never had him in the first place.
“What are you doing, Weston?” I can’t help but ask.
If he’s going to end it, he might as well do it right now. I know that face, the posture. He’s working on something. Obsessed. He’s throwing himself back into work and trying to ignore me. I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m not the girl he wanted. The pure, defenseless Abigail Lyons.
“Doing some research,” he answers. “I’m talking to my lawyer about your house.”
The blood drains from my face. No, no. I need to scream, but my body has become petrified stone, and my voice disappears.
“He’s going to send you a power of attorney, so he can proceed on your behalf.”
The air becomes hot and heavy. I stiffen, shivering with anger and fear.
“Let it be,” I say harshly. “You shouldn’t be fixing what’s not broken.”
“Your grandmother left it to you,” he refutes, matching my tone. “Both the house and money you haven’t claimed.”
“I don’t need the money.”
He stands up, nostrils flaring. He clenches his jaw so tightly that I can hear his teeth grinding.
“You can donate it or do whatever you want. That’s only the beginning. He has to pay.” He slams the table. “Corbin Stanley deserves to be in jail!”
I take a step backward, my heart beating fast. This man, the Weston in front of me is unrecognizable. He’s thirsty for vengeance. I have no idea where I stand. Where’s my Wes? The guy who’d be taking me into his arms and telling me that no matter what, I’m his Abby.
He’s in my head. He’s a figment of my imagination. The perfect guy I built out of desperation when I was on the edge, ready to kill myself. While I ran, I decided to be strong for myself. If I couldn’t save anyone, at least I should try to pull myself together.
“This isn’t your problem,” I say calmly. “It’s mine to deal with.”
“Children, stop this nonsense!” Sterling steps closer and gives me a note.
“He hasn’t told me what’s going on,” Sterling says. “But assuming that your PTSD symptoms are worsening. My suggestion is to seek help from a professional, but