Broken Kingdom (Royal Hearts Academy #4)(90)

“I have no idea what that me—”

“Of course, you don’t,” she spits. “Consider yourself lucky.”

My mother used to tell me I was too intuitive for my own good.

And right now, my Spidey senses can’t stop a horrible thought from pummeling me.

An unspeakable, revolting thought that makes my stomach bottom out.

“Hayley.” It’s a struggle to say the words. “Did he—”

“Why do you care?” She snorts. “Oh, that’s right. You don’t. You just want the sick gratification of being able to tell everyone that my daddy used to crawl into my room every night.”

A sick, ugly feeling spreads throughout my chest. I always knew her dad was terrible for what he did to my mom, and his wife…but he’s even worse than I could fathom.

“I won’t tell anyone,” I whisper, my mind breaking off in a thousand different directions “But I really think you should. I’ll even go with you if you want.”

I’m not her biggest fan, but I’m willing to put that aside if she needs someone for support.

Hell, I’d do just about anything to help her get through this.

“No.”

“Why not?”

I can’t comprehend why she’d want to keep something like this silent.

Then again, I’ve never been molested.

I used to think my life was as fucked-up as it gets, but as it turns out…things could have been worse.

Way worse.

Blowing out a shaky breath, she wipes her glistening eyes with the back of her sleeve. “Not that I expect you to understand, but he’s still my dad.” She averts her gaze, like she’s ashamed of her next words. “And deep down there’s a part of me that still loves him. Despite the bad things he’s done and all the pain he’s caused me.”

I understand that more than she thinks.

“I get it,” I whisper.

We stew in the heavy silence for what feels like hours before she speaks again.

“Please don’t tell anyone about what he did to me, Bianca. I’ve never told anyone and—”

“Your secret is safe with me.” My insides tighten uncomfortably. “But I really think you should tell someone.”

She gives her head a small shake. “I’m graduating next year. And once I land a good job and I’m able to support myself, I won’t need him for anything anymore.” Closing her eyes, she inhales. “I’ll be free.”

Despite all the animosity I was harboring, I want that for her.

I fetch my keys out of my purse. “For what it’s worth, I really hope everything works out for you.”

With those parting words, I start to leave.

“Bianca?” she calls out.

I pause. “Yeah?”

“I’m never gonna stop trying to get Oakley back.”

Instantly, my body jolts with animosity.

Turning to face her, I give her a wicked smile.

“Then may the best girl win.”





Chapter 41





Bianca





I feel so sick it takes everything in me not to puke as I continue pacing the floor of my dorm room.

I was hoping it was all just a terrible nightmare…but it wasn’t.

It was reality. Her reality.

Hayley had to go through horrors that were unimaginable.

Horrors no one should ever have to go through.

Because of him.

And the worst part is, she never got to have her freedom.

Because she’s dead.

I clutch my stomach as another wave of nausea surges through me.

I’m about to run to the bathroom, but a knock on my door halts me in my tracks.

I quickly usher Sawyer and Dylan inside.

I can’t tell my brothers what happened because it would mean telling them about our mom’s affair, and I can’t tell Oakley because he was close to Hayley and I know he’s shouldering enough guilt already.

I also can’t tell Stone because he’s super busy with work and school.

If Hayley was still here I could be strong and keep her secret for as long as she needed…but she’s not.

And I know this knowledge will slowly eat me alive over time if I don’t do something about it.

Therefore, that leaves me with Sawyer and Dylan to confide in.

I’m hoping the three of us can sit down and come up with some kind of plan to get justice for Hayley since she never got the chance to do it herself.

However, that requires me telling Dylan and Sawyer something that no one else knows.

Unless you count that piece of shit Mark Young.

“What’s going on?” Sawyer questions.

“You sounded really freaked out on the phone,” Dylan notes.

I motion to the bed. “Have a seat.”

When they do, I utter, “I need your absolute word that what I’m about to tell you won’t ever leave this room. I don’t care if my brothers beg, plead, or threaten to end things with you. I need you guys to swear you won’t ever fucking tell them.”

Their eyes widen.

“Okay you’re really starting to scare me,” Sawyer says.

Dylan nods. “Me too.”