Broken

• Chapter 164 •

"Aya?" I groan as I step into our hotel room.

She stands from her bed, "CLEMENTINE! WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN? I WAS WORRIED SICK!"

I shrug, "Went home with the bar hottie."

She sighs, "You should've told me, you shit. Must've been quick, then. It's only two?"

I wince, "We didn't do shit. I started crying."

She bursts out laughing. "Are you serious? You cried? WHY? God wait, I'm gonna get you some water," she rushes over to the mini fridge and pulls out a bottle of cold water, handing it to me.

I nod and down it in one go, "Thanks."

I look at her hesitantly and mumble, "I wanna cuddle..."

Her eyes pop open. "WHAT?" she rushes to her phone and puts it up to my face, "Can you say that again because low-key monumental moment."

I narrow my eyes to slits and she laughs, "I'm sorry, okay! Get changed and wash your face off and come cuddle with me! What a beautiful day!"

___________________

Aya pets my hair, "How are you feeling?"

Awkward. "Mph..."

"I'd like you to know I snapped every single retarded thing you've done tonight and you will hate yourself in the morning. But like don't kill me cause it's fucking hilarious," she laughs.

I don't hear her, "She should've killed him when she had the chance."

Aya frowns, "What?"

I shake my head, "Mom. She should've killed Derek instead of sending him to jail. He won... He ruined our lives."

"But at least he's dead now, right? Do you wanna talk about it..?"

I'm quiet. Aya patiently waits for a response. After a few moments, I speak, "I hate him so much. My entire life, I've lived in fear and protection. My entire family has been extremely cautious for this exact reason... I didn't go to school, I lived away from my parents, I was secluded from society, I had to change my name... And then I let my guard down. I ruined everything. I did the one thing my dad asked me not to; I trusted. And I got screwed over for it. I got my dad killed. He died... Because of me." My breath comes in torrents as tears escape my eyes.

"Wanna know the part that hurts the most?" my voice is a cracked whisper. Aya gulps behind me and tears well in my eyes, "Ashton was the one to betray me... I guess I shouldn't be surprised... But I really thought I knew him. I thought it was real..." I shake my head as tears fall from my face.

"It kills me to know that none of it was..." I choke back soft sobs now, my voice is hoarse and broken.

Aya sniffles behind me, "Clementine... Ashton loves you... I really do think Derek was fucking with your head and Ashton was telling the truth. Do you know he's been going around to everyone? All your parent's friends, Eric, me... Asking about you, explaining, trying to find a way to make you believe him? Why would he do that if he was still working for Derek?"

"He loves you. The one emotion that a person cannot fake is love. I know what faking love is, I've been dealt that hand many times with asshole boys. Ashton would do anything for you..."

I shake my head, dismissing her words. I don't want to hear it, right now. Curiosity prods at my ribs. "I heard you're the one who killed Hassan?" I ask her as I sit up.