The Billionaire Recluse & The girl who stayed.

The shocking truth.

~Lexi~

I didn't move.

I couldn't.

Not because I physically couldn't—but because I didn't trust what would happen if I did.

The room felt wrong now.

Before, it had been confusing... almost calm in a twisted way.

Now—

It felt suffocating.

I pulled the blanket tighter around myself, my body trembling despite the warmth of the room.

Everything felt off.

My head.

My thoughts.

My memory.

There were gaps.

Too many gaps.

And that alone made fear crawl under my skin.

What had they done?

What had he done?

I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, trying to steady my breathing.

Think, Lexi.

Think.

Why was Elizabeth doing this?

What had I done to her?

I ran through every interaction, every conversation, every meeting—

Nothing.

Nothing that explained this.

Unless...

John Oaks.

My stomach dropped.

No...

Surely not.

—

The sound of the door unlocking made me flinch.

My body tensed instantly.

I sat up slowly, pulling the blanket closer around me like it could somehow protect me.

The door opened.

And this time—

She didn't hide.

Elizabeth stepped inside, calm... composed... like she wasn't standing in the middle of something completely insane.

"Elizabeth..." My voice broke despite my effort to stay steady. "What have I done?"

She tilted her head slightly, watching me like I was something... interesting.

"Please," I added, my voice softer now. "If I've done something—just tell me. I'm sorry."

The word felt useless the second it left my mouth.

She smiled.

Not kindly.

Not even slightly.

"Sorry?" she repeated, almost amused. "You think sorry fixes this?"

A chill ran through me.

"I don't even know what I've done," I said, my voice shaking despite myself. "If this is about me—fine—but leave Dale out of it. He's got nothing to do with this."

That made her laugh.

A sharp, cruel sound.

"Oh, Lexi..." she said, shaking her head slightly. "You really have no idea, do you?"