Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 57

The Cameron estate feels suffocating, the air heavy with tension as I step into the living room. The house is silent, the usual staff nowhere to be seen, as if everyone's holding their breath, waiting for the inevitable storm to break.

Ward is seated on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, his head bowed low as he stares down at something in his hands. When he hears me enter, he glances up, his gaze sharp and assessing, a strange mix of anger and concern flashing across his face.

"Teresa," he says quietly, his voice low and controlled. He stands slowly, straightening his shoulders as if he's preparing himself for battle. "We need to talk."

My heart clenches painfully at the sight of him—Rafe's father, the man who's been caught in the crossfire of all this madness. He looks older, more worn, like the weight of what's happening is dragging him down.

"I know," I whisper, taking a deep breath as I step further into the room, my gaze never leaving his. "I heard there's going to be a trial."

Ward nods stiffly, his jaw tightening. "Yes. They're moving forward with it. The DA thinks they have enough to convict Rafe. The evidence... it's strong."

I swallow hard, the words hitting me like a punch to the gut. Strong evidence. That means they could take him away from me. They could lock him up and throw away the key, and I'll never see him again—never feel his arms around me, never hear him whisper my name.

No. I can't let that happen. I won't.

"What's the plan?" I ask softly, forcing the tremor out of my voice. "What are we going to do?"

Ward studies me for a long moment, his gaze searching, then sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Rafe's going to deny everything. Every single accusation. They'll try to break him, try to get him to slip up, but he's prepared for this. And I have a few people on the inside who'll make sure things go... smoothly."

"And if that's not enough?" I ask, my heart pounding in my chest. "If they still think he's guilty?"

Ward's expression hardens, his eyes narrowing. "Then we make sure someone else takes the fall. That's our only option now."

Someone else. We both know who he's talking about. John B.

"Ward..." I whisper, my voice tight with uncertainty. "They're not going to believe it. John B was already cleared. They'll see through it."

"Not if we're convincing enough," Ward counters, his gaze intense. "We have enough doubt, enough loose ends. All we need is the right push, the right story, and we can make it work."

My hands tremble as I clench them into fists at my sides, my mind racing. He's right. With the right push, the right angle, we can make it work. But it means throwing John B under the bus. It means betraying him completely.

He was my friend. And now... now I'm going to ruin his life, all to save Rafe.

But it's not even a question, is it? Because losing Rafe... losing him isn't an option. I can't live without him.

"I'll lie," I say softly, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. "I'll say whatever I have to say. I'll tell them John B did it."

Ward's eyes widen, genuine shock flickering across his face. "Teresa, you can't just—"

"I can," I interrupt, lifting my chin, my voice steady, resolute. "And I will."

"But she was your aunt," Ward murmurs, his voice low, almost pleading. "She raised you. You loved her."

"And he's Rafe," I whisper back, my voice breaking. "He's... everything."

The words hang heavy in the air, the truth of them echoing between us. Ward's expression shifts, realization dawning in his eyes as he takes a step back, looking at me like he's seeing me for the first time.