C O M P L E T E - first draft.
7x featured story.
Undiscovered Gem, Romance Ambassadors, January 2025.
Ambys 2024 Favourite - Mystery & Thriller
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I don't register what comes first--Mum's screams and curses, or the searing pain that perforates...
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September 26th
C A R M E N
"I... I never meant for things to unfold the way they did that night." Deidre cages her midriff as she trips over her words, her voice mouse-like.
"I'd hope not, given how terrible the outcome," I spit in response. "But that doesn't change or tell me anything more than I already know. I want the truth, Deidre, so let's get to it. What happened?"
"Everything started right after you went to deal with the commotion in your parents' pool... after you had asked Jamie to leave," she says. "I know you told me to not let him ruin my night, but he already had. So I called it a night and headed for the front door. I was going to call a taxi and go home, but then... he stopped me."
"He?"
"Cory," Deidre clarifies. Her voice chokes up as she says his name, like she might cry. "Cory stopped me."
I almost pity her, but then I recall what she did to my brother—the false accusations she made against him. I'll never forgive her for being one reason he's gone.
"Before I could leave, your brother caught me at the door. He asked me what was the matter. Initially, I attempted to give him an honest answer, but when I saw Jamie, I just... acted."
I can tell she is not proud of her actions by the way she cringes as she says that last word. "What did you do?" I push for further details.
"I-I launched myself at Cory and kissed him," she admits. "It... it wasn't too out of the ordinary, really—we had been seeing each other casually for a few months. I knew he wanted more than just a casual fling and I wasn't ready for that kind of commitment, but I just... it didn't stop me from..." she trails off. "When I saw Jamie, I just..."
"You kissed my brother to make Jamie jealous," I spit, piecing things together. "You used him that night. I mean, heck, you were using him the whole time you were seeing him, weren't you?"
Deidre opens her mouth to refute my claims, but she's unable to speak. She seems to lack any counter argument.
She was definitely using him—I'm certain of it. Based on their text messages, it's clear that my brother was genuinely interested in her. But I'd bet anything that Deidre's attraction to Cory was solely because of his ability to divert her attention from Jamie.
Deidre clears her throat, eyes focused on the decking beneath our feet. "After that, we went upstairs together to his room... we ended up sleeping together," she admits. "I... I'd assumed Jamie had left after what he saw, b-but clearly not..."
"What makes you say that?" I press.
"Jamie came upstairs whilst we were in Cory's room... after we had... you know. He burst through the door and lunged straight for your brother," she tells me. "They started fighting... i-it got quite vicious. Jamie threw your brother against the wall so hard that pictures hanging up fell off onto the floor."
