Chapter 298: Justin Is A Killer?

Holly’s POV

The second I stepped into the bedroom and shut the door, I slammed my back against it like it could hold the world out.

My hand flew to my mouth, pressing hard to trap the scream clawing up my throat. My heart was exploding…boom, boom, boom…like it wanted to punch straight through my ribs.

David had been in his bedroom way too long just to drop a bag. I’d crept closer, quiet as I could, and caught fragments of his phone call drifting through the open door.

Not everything.

But enough.

Justin.

Murders.

Investigators.

Jail.

Covering up.

My knees almost gave out. Justin? A killer? Not David but Justin? All this time I’d been terrified of the wrong brother? And Justin…he’d dropped those hints, those sly comments painting David as the monster. Was that just to cover his own tracks? To keep me away from David so I wouldn’t figure it out?

I’d been alone with him. So many times. Riding on that bike with my arms around me, laughing like everything was normal. He could have finished me off anytime.

My skin crawled remembering how he’d said he was taking a “shortcut” to the clinic. What if that shortcut was somewhere quiet? Somewhere no one would hear me scream? And then we ran into Tyler right outside. Did he change his mind because Tyler saw us together?

Because someone knew we were together?

Why me? What did I do to him? How does a guy who looks that perfect, who smiles that easy, who jokes around like the world’s his playground…how does he turn out to be a cold-blooded killer?

And David… that panic earlier, the way he’d looked like the world was ending when he thought I was hurt. It wasn’t about me disappearing with some random guy. It was because he thought Justin might have—

I couldn’t even finish the thought.

I stumbled deeper into the room, legs shaking, eyes darting everywhere. There had to be something…anything…that would give me answers.

David wasn’t going to open up easily, I could feel it. He was carrying this alone, and if Justin was guilty… David said he’d turn himself in too. For covering. That could mean years. More years in a cage for something he didn’t even do…just because he was pressured into covering it up? I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t let that happen to him.

What if I used myself as bait?

The idea slammed into me so hard I froze.

Tell Tyler everything. Have him track my phone or something. Then I go somewhere alone with Justin…pretend everything’s fine, maybe even apologize for earlier…and see if he tries anything. Tyler and the cops jump out at the perfect moment. Justin gets arrested. David stays free. No more hiding. No more fear.

It was insane, dangerous and stupid.

But if Justin really was that monster, he needed to be locked up. Before he hurt someone else. Before he hurt another sister, another daughter.

I tore through the room quietly…drawers, nightstand, nothing. No letters, no files, no smoking gun. My eyes landed on David’s phone on the dresser. There had to be something there…texts, photos, anything to explain deeper.

I snatched it up but it was locked. Of course.

I tried a few passwords…his birthday, 1234, 0000, even Justin’s name. Nothing. I sighed in defeat, and slipped into the bathroom. The shower helped a little, hot water washing away the grime of the day, but my mind wouldn’t stop spinning.

Justin. Smiling, charming Justin. A killer.

And David… God, he’d looked so exhausted earlier, eyes red, voice breaking when he apologized. Right before Justin showed up like a storm cloud. Was Justin doing it on purpose? Stirring things up so I’d hate David? Keep us apart?

I needed to talk to someone. Someone who would know what to do.

Ava.

My sister would know. I’d definitely call her tomorrow. It’s late already.

Ten minutes later I was clean, hair damp, changed into soft pajamas from my bag and stepped out of the room.

David was already done showering…bare-chested, wearing nothing but low-slung shorts, wet hair tousled, fixing something in the kitchen. The sight hit me like a punch. He looked… unreal. Strong, tired, heartbreakingly beautiful.

Focus, Holly. Now is not the time.

He glanced over, caught my stare, and gave a small smile. “Go sit. Dinner’s almost ready.”

I nodded and sank onto a stool at the counter, quiet.

He brought over two plates minutes later…creamy, golden mac and cheese that looked straight out of a restaurant ad. I actually gasped. “This looks amazing. Did you order it?”

He set a plate in front of me. “Does it look that good?”

I nodded, still staring.

He smiled…small, but real. “I made it myself…from scratch.”

We ate in silence. Or tried to. He barely touched his food, just pushed the pasta around like it had personally offended him. He must have a lot on his mind.

Seeing him like this broke my heart. He looked like he’s carrying the whole world on his shoulders. My appetite vanished too. Every bite felt like cardboard.

I finally gave up. “Thank you,” I said, standing with my plate.

He was up in a flash. “I’ll take care of it—”

“No.” I held it away. “You cooked. Least I can do is dishes.”

He started to argue, but I was already at the sink. He let me win.

When I finished and walked into the living room, he was on the couch, staring blankly at the wall like it held all the answers.

I sat beside him, close but not too close, and touched his arm lightly. He jerked instantly, like I’d shocked him.

Before I could say anything…before I could decide whether to confront him or wait…he turned to me, eyes heavy.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” he said quietly.

I turned fully toward him, heart in my throat, every nerve on fire.

I was ready.

Or at least, I thought I was.