The Love and The Lie

Chapter 8

Jeanine's POV

Part of me is disheartened. But what else could she be so afraid of revealing. It makes sense that a Divergent in love with someone who strives to eradicate people like them, would be scared of that person.

I look away from Karen. I need to think. Protocol tells me to kill her. But I still have questions.

I need to at least get her to the lab.

"Do you still love me?" I hear her faint voice whisper. Karen hugs me, and I put my arms around her. "Please don't kill me," Karen continues.

I leave the bed and Karen drops her hold around me. "We should make our way to work," I propose while glancing at the clock by the bed. At my comment, Karen suddenly seems noticeably uncomfortable. She tenses up at mentioning the laboratory. I head out of the bedroom and put my coat on. Karen follows and does the same.

Karen's POV

The laboratory doors loom ahead in the hallway. I wonder what she will do to me? Hopefully nothing. Except I know that, that won't be the case. Jeanine didn't even respond to my question earlier. Maybe she doesn't love me anymore, and I will now die or suffer at her hands; at the command of the one I love.

I wish that I didn't tell Jeanine. I should have kept it a secret. I should have lied again. Jeanine grabs the handle of the door, and my eyes water. Noticing me, Jeanine stops. "Get yourself together!" She scolds. "We are walking in now!" I wipe my eyes and put my hand on her arm before she can open the door.

"Do you still love me?" I ask again. Jeanine moves to the side of the hallway and I move with her. She sighs.

"Honestly Karen, I'm confused. Give me some time to get my emotions together," Jeanine says as she takes out her spectacles and puts them on. We end up going inside the laboratory. I immediately try to make up for my divergence by instantly working. Today though, Jeanine doesn't tell me to retrieve any test subjects.

Jeanine's POV

Do I really want to do this? Her divergence is still a secret to the rest of the world. I'm sure that I have retained my feelings for her.

Yet this city will suffer with even one Divergent in existence or not under control. Even if Karen is my loyal spouse, the question is if she has any plans against me; if she is "under control". The way that she looks at me though, shows love and obligation toward me.

I can either order the guards to take her away, or not say anything. No one can know about this but us, or it could be on the front cover of Faction Daily.

If I do imprison her, which hurts the two of us, then I will have to utilize her existence or end it. It doesn't please me to consider that.

I should question her first.

I walk to the testing table and close my eyes while touching the black leather bindings. This is such a difficult decision to make. I need to know more about Karen's divergence though.

"Tomas?" I call out, needing the guard's attention. I hear him shift on the opposite side of the room. Can I really do this? I take in one deep breath before sighing. "Arrest Karen Matthews immediately. Place her in cell A1!"

Suddenly, I hear Karen's cries as Tomas grabs her by her forearms and places cuffs on her wrists. I can't bear to look at her right now. There is the shuffling of footsteps before a loud bang comes from the laboratory doors.

I apologize, Karen.