Gone Girl 3

Chapter 27

Two weeks later

Proving that we aren't guilty was harder than it seemed. Mostly because the police recognized it was the man I almost reported and also the pedophile that was on the news for quite some time.

But it was all thanks to Irène's parents. Despite her father putting distance between him and her, he didn't want her in prison—that would taint his name. And once again she cleared out our names but we are all on the watch list. One more misstep and no one will be able to save us.

Luckily they never knew Derek was implicated in this.

Since Derek broke my trust, I wanted to move out of his apartment but not being able to go back on campus made things impossible.

I wanted to sleep on the couch but he didn't let me so I ended up staying in his room while he took the couch. We don't talk much. He tries but I ignore him.

"How long are we going to keep this going?"

I'm way too much into my head to even think about how this will end. Maybe I will forgive him. Maybe I won't.

I thought after my rapist's death I'd stop having nightmares but it was even worse. I get them every night.

Sometimes I wake up screaming, sweaty and in tears. Sometimes it's almost every night.

Every time Derek runs into my room and holds me until I fall asleep and I don't say a word. He knows. I know.

He grabs my hand, bringing me out of my head.

I instinctively pull away but he brings it to his heart.

"I would have not lied to you if I didn't believe it was important."

I shake my head.

"I truly was not planning to do anything to him anymore. Irène called me and when I heard she caught him-I-I couldn't even think straight."

I sigh.

I heard this excuse twenty times already.

I let go of his hand and I stand up when I suddenly receive a message. I pick up my phone, still feeling Derek's eyes on me.

Shanice: we've been called into work today

Me: why?? I thought we weren't workin on Friday

She didn't reply again.

I go to my room and start getting ready. I hate working. I hate this new job but I can't do anything about it. I'm not even dating Derek anymore and soon I won't have a place to live in.

I hear a light knock on the door.

I open the door and Derek stands in front of me with puppy eyes. He's been trying this trick on me for fifteen days now.

"I'll give you a ride. Don't be stubborn."

I roll my eyes.

When I'm in the car with Derek, he is quite silent. But at least he put some music on.

I hear my phone vibrate and I assume it's Shanice, but it's actually Irène.

They've fully broken up since Irène killed my rapist. She's not been the same, even though she has been weird for a few months now but lately... she's different.

We haven't talked much though, not even a word about what happened. It's been hard to forgive her. Let alone Cyprian and Dominic.

I am about to pick up the phone but Shanice calls me too and I decide to answer her since it's probably about work. Their synch.