Chapter 67

Chapter 67
MOLLY’S POV
I get a message from my private investigator later that day: Gareth Ford is out.
The name alone freezes my lungs. My fingers go cold. I blink once, twice, hoping the words change, but they don’t. Gareth is out and walking the same air as the rest of us. And somehow the whole world feels smaller.
I drop onto the edge of my bed, staring at the screen. I feel twelve again - small, ignored, and terrified of shadows that always seemed to follow my sister. My throat tightens as the past shoves itself in front of me like a door slamming.
I remember thinking, Why is she telling me that? Why doesn’t she tell Mom? Why doesn’t she tell anyone what he keeps doing? Why does everyone treat her like the strong one while they forget I even exist?
Kat was the shield. Kat was the savior. And I was the shadow behind her.
My eyes burn as the present snaps back into place. I swallow hard, pressing my palm to my forehead.
“Why didn’t you tell them, Kat?” I whisper into the empty room. “Why did you let them think you were perfect? Why did you wait till it was too late?”
My phone vibrates. I check it then I realize it’s a text from an unknown number.
Unknown Number: You and I should talk. Tonight. Same woods.
Every breath in my body stops for three whole seconds.
Only one person ever said same woods.
Gareth.
The place he used to take Kat. The place she always returned from quieter than before. The place she never talked about.
My stomach drops so hard it almost feels like falling.
“What do you want with me?” I mutter under my breath.
I know I should block the number. I know I should call Kat or the police or anyone else. But anger rises from somewhere old and deep. It’ an anger shaped like Kat’s favoritism, like years of being invisible, like everyone praising her strength while ignoring how close I came to being broken too.
A dark, ugly thought crosses my mind: If Kat survived him once, she’ll survive him again. Maybe Gareth is the key to finally destroying her.
I hate myself the instant it forms, but I can’t shake it. The bitterness sits in my throat.
I get up. I start pacing. I shouldn’t go. This is dangerous, stupid, reckless. But the part of me that has always wanted Kat to fall is already moving.
I go home. I shut my door. I pull out a hoodie and gloves. I slide a tiny pocketknife into my sock. It feels pathetic, but it’s something.
I stand in front of the mirror, staring at a version of myself even I barely recognize .
I rehearse the words I want to tell him “I want your help destroying Kat.”
The words make me feel sick. My mouth tastes like metal. But I rehearse again.
“I want your help destroying Kat.”
My voice is steadier now. But my pulse is a drumbeat in my ears.
I grab my keys before I change my mind and head for the car. My hands shake the whole drive. Streetlights blur past me as the car move. By the time I reach the edge of the woods, the sky is completely black. I park far from the usual spot and step out.
The woods are darker than I remember. They seem thicker too.
I walk slowly. My breath clouds in the air as I reach the clearing.
Something shifts behind a tree, then he steps out.
Gareth Ford.
He’s leaner. Prison made him lose a whole lot of weight. But his eyes - God, his eyes - they’re the same. They look cold and hungry. A predator’s eyes.
His smile spreads slowly
“Molly,” he says “Look at you. You’re all grown up.”
My fingers curl into fists. I force myself not to step back.
He walks closer, tilting his head. Then without warning, he grabs my chin between his fingers and tilts my face up.
“There you are,” he murmurs. “You look just like her. But prettier. Less… difficult.”
Disgust rockets through me. I jerk away so fast he chuckles.
“Easy, little bird,” he says. “If you didn’t want this meeting, you wouldn’t be here.”
“I need something,” I force out. “And so do you.”
He lifts an eyebrow. “Do I?”
“You wouldn’t have told me to meet you if you didn’t.”
He laughs “Fair point. Now tell me why you’re shaking. Fear… or excitement?”
“I want Kat to lose everything,” I say before I can hesitate. “All of it. Her reputation. Her relationships. Her perfect life.”
He studies my face like he’s looking for cracks. Then he smiles again, slower this time.
“You want revenge?” he asks. “So do I. She ruined my life. Lied about me.”
I know he’s lying. I know Kat never lied. But I keep my face blank.
He steps closer. “Before I help you, I need something. Proof you’re serious.”
My stomach knots. “What kind of proof?”
His hand reaches out and touches a strand of my hair, rolling it between his fingers.
“Something small,” he says softly. “Something easy.”
I go still. “Don’t.”
“I’ll stop,” he murmurs, “when I get what I want. And I always start with little Kat.”
My heart slams against my ribs. A cold rush spreads down my spine.
I whisper, “No… no, you’re not going near her.”
“Why not?” he asks lightly. “I’ve been watching her for days. She’s predictable. She has a routine job. Parks in the same spot. Walks alone at eight twenty every night. You really think she’s hard to get to?”
My stomach twists violently. I gave him access. I gave him confidence. Just by showing up.
“What have I done…” I whisper.
He suddenly shoves me back. My spine slams against a tree. Bark digs into my shoulder blades as he leans close enough for me to smell his breath.
“Relax,” he says, smiling. “I’m just reminding you who you’re dealing with. Don’t be shy. Give me a little taste to show how serious you are about this.”
I start to panic. I grab his wrist and dig my nails in as hard as I can. He just laughs.
“You’ve got fire,” he says. “Kat never fought back.”
Something inside me snaps.
I scream then I drive my knee up with all my strength. He grunts, loosening his grip. I shove him back, breathing hard.
He doesn’t get angry. He just smiles like he’s been waiting for this.
“Good girl,” he whispers. “This is going to be fun.”