Chapter 46: The Truth Shall Not Set You Free.

Chapter 46: The Truth Shall Not Set You Free.
Eric's POV

I caught Sasha’s wrist just as she tried to tear herself away from me, her nails digging into my skin as if she wanted to leave marks that would last longer than the moment.

“Leave me alone, sucker!” she screamed, yanking hard.

I hissed, my jaw tightening. “Are you fucking serious right now? Why would you pour fuel on her? What exactly were you trying to do?”

She threw her head back and laughed, the sound sharp and reckless. “Relax. Wait till I light the match.”

I rolled my eyes, irritation washing over me. This...this..was what I hated most. The explanations. The dramatics. Having to justify myself when all I’d done was take what felt good in the moment.

I exhaled slowly, trying to keep my temper in check.“Okay,” I said flatly. “I get that you’re hurt. You have every right to be. But trust me, that was just a silly mistake.”

Her palm met my face before I could finish the sentence.“Do not fucking dare lie to me like I’m stupid!” she yelled. “You think I don’t know who Jade is? You think I’m blind?”

I stared at her, stunned for half a second, then I smiled. A calm, almost amused smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

“Have fun fixing your bullshit,” I said coolly. “Because me and you? We’re done.”

Her breath hitched. “You can’t be serious, Eric.”

I laughed. “If I were you, I’d go make friends with Jade. Maybe she can educate you on how to actually satisfy a man.”

The disappointment in her eyes flickered like a dying flame. I turned and walked away before she could say another word.

Inside the doctor’s office, the air felt stale and heavy. I paid the entire bill without hesitation, every damn cent...then stepped back outside. I unlocked my car, leaned against it, and pulled out my phone to text Jade.

#I just cleared the bill. Meet me outside now.#

I hit send and smiled to myself.
I’ve never been a man to reject a good time, especially when the universe seemed determined to hand it to me on a silver platter.

I barely had time to pocket my phone before I heard footsteps rushing toward me.
Sasha again.

Her eyes were red, swollen, filled with tears she was no longer trying to hide.

I sighed deeply, exhaustion creeping in.“What is it now, ma’am?” I asked dryly.

Her voice broke. “How could you do this to me? How?”

I grabbed her hands instinctively, though part of me already knew it was pointless, as I teased her. “Don’t be selfish. You can’t have me all to yourself.”

She hissed, pulling one hand free. “But you want me all to yourself!”

I laughed softly. “Yeah. That was before I found out you were fucking my personal assistant.”

She froze.
The color drained from her face as she stumbled backward, shock written all over her features. I watched her carefully, satisfaction curling in my chest.

“Good,” I said calmly. “Take another step back.”

Her bag slipped from her shoulder and hit the ground just as Jade appeared, walking toward us with hesitant steps.
Perfect.

I opened the car door for Jade, and she slid into the passenger seat, her eyes immediately locking onto Sasha.

I bent down and whispered, “Don’t pity her. Like you said...this isn’t real.”

Jade hesitated. “Yeah… but she’s hurt. Badly.”

I smiled faintly. “Give me two minutes.”

I walked back to Sasha, picked up her bag, and placed it gently into her hands. “You forgot this.”

She looked up at me, tears spilling freely now. “Why?” she asked hoarsely. “Why, Eric?”

I leaned in close, my voice barely above a whisper. “Because I can. And next time, don’t ever assume I’m a fool.”

She grabbed my hand desperately. “Babe, it was just once. I was drunk. I was alone with him in the car...”

I jerked my hand away. “Don’t you dare touch me ever again.”

She let out a bitter laugh. “So you’re really leaving with her, right? But guess what?!”

Something inside me snapped.

I stepped forward and gripped her neck, my fingers tightening just enough to silence her. “Do yourself a favor and shut the fuck up.”

She clawed at my wrists, gasping, panic flooding her eyes, until suddenly someone shoved me hard.

I stumbled back.
Jade.

She was holding Sasha now, helping her steady her breathing, her entire body shaking with rage as she glared at me.“Are you crazy?” she screamed. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

I blinked, genuinely surprised...not by her words, but by the fire blazing in her eyes. “Jade, stay out of this.”

She scoffed. “No. You stay out of this. You have no fucking right to treat a woman like she’s disposable trash.”

I hissed. “What is all this drama for?”

She spat on the ground between us. “Leave!!"

I stared at her, my patience thinning, wondering if she even understood who she was trying to protect.

“Are you serious?” I asked.

“Leave!” she yelled.

Before I could respond, Sasha shoved Jade away. “Don’t you speak to him like that!”

A slow smile crept onto my face. I knew it. I had been right all along.

Jade turned to her, disbelief etched across her features. “Sasha, he just tried to...”

“Stay out of this!” Sasha snapped. “You have no right talking about men when all you do is fool around with robots.”

I stiffened.
Robots?

I lifted an eyebrow slowly. “Hold on. What exactly is her business with a robot?”

Sasha laughed mockingly and turned to Jade. “Hey, girl. Want me to tell your new man what kind of psycho you really are?”

Jade shook her head quickly. “Sasha, please.”

Something wasn’t right.
Jade didn’t just look scared...she looked exposed. Like she was standing on the edge of something dangerous.

I grabbed Sasha’s arm and pulled her close. “Do you want to be back in my life?”

She pouted instantly. “Yes. Yes, I really do.”

I nodded once. “Then you’re going to tell me everything you know about Jade and her relationship with that robot.”

She looked at Jade.
Then back at me.
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

I tilted her chin up. “Speak to me.”

She swallowed hard. “Uh… his name was… Eros-7. And she… she bidded...”

I sighed in frustration. “Do I look like a joke to you?”

She shivered. “No. No, Eric, but...”

I cut her off sharply, gripping her arms. “Speak now.”

Her eyes suddenly filled with tears. “Eric, I’m sorry… but I have to do this.”

Before I could react, she broke free and ran straight to Jade, wrapping her arms around her tightly.

I stood there, stunned.
Anger burned through me like wildfire.
Did she just play me?
Did she just use me?

“How dare you?” I shouted.

She lowered her head. “I’m sorry, Eric. But I can’t betray my friend.”

I laughed bitterly. “Oh wow. You’ve always wanted to ruin her reputation, and now you’re pretending to be loyal?”

She sighed. “I know Jade and I fell out… but she’s like a sister to me. I can’t do that to her.”

I turned to Jade. “Jade?”

Jade pulled back slightly, confusion all over her face. “Sasha… are you serious?”

Sasha nodded, and to my disbelief, they both laughed softly and hugged each other.

Something twisted painfully in my chest.
I didn’t understand it...but I hated it.

I hissed and turned to walk away.

“Eric, stop,” Sasha called.

I spun around. “What now? What do you want from me?”

She laughed...loudly, unnervingly. A laugh that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

And then I saw it.
The gun.

My heart slammed violently against my ribs. “Sasha,” I said sharply, “drop the...”

The gunshot rang out.

Time slowed as my mind spiraled, my thoughts crashing into one question over and over again...

Who was just shot?