This is the explosive sequel to "To Capture a Heart."
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Some truths ruin lives. Others set them free.
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Veronica had it all-until, in the span of a few brutal days, she lost everything.
The fallout is fierce. Tensions are at a breaking point. Lo...
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Guilt.
The woodworm and rust of every sensitive conscious.
It had the power to weaken even the strongest, breaking them down, bit by bit. It was crippling.
It was never really logical. It just was.
And right now, Veronica was drowning in it.
One of the things I always admired about her was her steadfast loyalty to the people she loved. Come hell or high water, she was there for them. She stood up for them.
She felt responsible for them.
Just like she was now feeling responsible for Neil's condition.
She was selfless, sensitive, and really goddamn reckless. A dangerous combination. That was what she was. That was what she had always been.
Holding her steady gaze, I caught every shift in her expression. I watched as her eyes turned glassy, then wet, pooling with unspent tears as the tip of her nose turned rosy and her breathing grew heavier.
Concern struck fast and deep in my chest, as I watched her trying to stop herself from spiraling. Was she going to have a panic attack again?
I closed the distance between us in a flash and cradled her face in both my hands. "Baby, deep breaths. In and out. Focus on your breathing. Focus on me."
She closed her eyes and shook her head as if she was rattling loose cobwebs. "I'm okay, " I heard her mutter, even as she leaned into me, almost as if she couldn't hold herself up anymore and I wrapped my arms around her.
Now that it was out in the open I knew she'd have questions. Lots of them. I'll have to tell her the truth. The truth about everything.
I took a deep breath to steel myself and looked at our friends. Ash was quietly crying into Ryan's chest, but Jace and Avi were looking at us with concern etched across their faces. They knew the truth from the beginning and they knew what was coming next. "Can you guys give us a minute?"
"Of course, man," Jace mumbled before everyone slowly left us alone.
"Come with me." I held Tiger's hand and led her to an empty classroom nearby. I was surprised that she followed me without any resistance, but I guessed she had bigger things to think about right now,
"Who was it?" It was the first question she asked as soon as we were alone.
"I think you know the answer to that."
Of course, we had no proof to prove my claim, but I knew the truth. There was only one guy who had seen us that morning, who knew we were going to the hospital to see my Mom. There was only one guy I could think of who would stoop so low. Max.
''That bastard," I heard her mutter, her hands had a slight tremble in them before she balled them into fists. "He'll pay for this."
