Crimes and Punishments

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Eighteen

'Your worst sin is that you have destroyed and betrayed yourself for nothing'

'I lied,' Amanda blurted out and John raised his eyebrows. He wasn't surprised that she'd lied, but he was surprised that she admitted it. But he went ahead and took the bait.

'What did you lie about, Amanda?' His jaw clenched and tears welded up in her eyes.

'I lied about how far along I am. At the time I told you, I was two weeks, which makes the baby Milton's. I-I'm sorry, but I found someone else actually.' She looked at the floor. 'I didn't tell my mother, Saturday...about you or the engagement. I just told her the pregnancy was an accident or something. But she did her matchmaker thing as usual and he didn't care that I was pregnant. I don't want to do this anymore.'

'I can't believe this. You fucking trapped me and wanted me to get engaged to you, for what!? So you'd eventually find some other guy you could sucker in to take care of a baby that's not his? You terrorise Roisin and get her friend addicted to drugs. All of this shit and for what!?

'All so you could find your perfect slave to believe your psycho lies! You took away everything from me! All for your obsession!' Tears ran down Amanda's face. 'We are done...in every way. If you come near me or Roisin, I will get a restraining order. Don't fucking test me!' With that he stormed out and slammed the door behind him, effectively making her jump.

He started his car and headed to Roisin's flat. All that time he wasted and pined for Roisin from afar. It hurt him when she wouldn't even look at him. He quickly knocked on the door and Delilah answered.

'I've made my decision. Where is she?' John was frantic, yet excited. Delilah was confused. 'The baby wasn't mine all along! I'm free.'

'Didn't you hear what I told you, Friday? She's on a date with Jonas, John. He's trying to cheer her up from all the shit that's been going on. You can wait for her to come back, inside.'

'No, I can't wait. Do you know where he took her for their date?' Delilah shook her head.

'Oh, no, I'm not letting you crash her date just to tell her something you can wait for.' John shook his head.

'You don't understand, Delilah. I've made my damn decision and I will be completely devoted to her. But if she's with him, he'll sweep her off her feet and she'll realise he's better for her than I am.'

'And maybe that's true,' she muttered and he clenched his jaw.

'I thought you supported me. What changed your mind, huh? Was it that prick, Jonas? I don't want to fucking lose her and you're standing here playing games with me. Just tell me where they are!' His voice was so loud, Delilah jumped.

'A-at the f-fair,' she whispered and he made his way to the fair grounds on campus. He was stupid to trust anyone, but he was going to get his Roisin back and he would never let her go.

—

Roisin laughed at Jonas's candy floss moustache. They sat on a bench after enjoying all the rides the fair had to offer. For a fair held on campus, it wasn't that bad.

'So, what do you want to do now,' he asked after eating the candy floss off of his face.

'What about...' she looked around and saw the balloons booth. 'Winning me something from the water balloon dart board?' Roisin turned her head to him and smiled. He laughed and nodded.

'Okay, sure. I will show you what a balloon master I am.' He grinned cockily as they walked to the booth. Jonas purchased three darts and managed to only get two, but two balloons with the last dart. The man at the booth hummed.