“What am I not seeing?” Riley asked her, “What do you think I don’t understand, tell me, because at this point I’m grasping at straws. I know El didn’t leave and she sure as hell didn’t abandon Noah. She loved her child, more than anything. Did she refuse to give up her baby to you? Did she try to run away with him, is that why she was killed?”
Riley was careful not to accuse. In all honesty, he had no idea how El had died or who was responsible and though he had his theories, they weren’t concrete enough to assign blame to anyone, yet.
“Why are you so sure she was killed?” Lilian asked, cocking her head to the side as she studied the omega. She was shrewd, but Riley saw through her at once. She was baiting him, trying to figure out how much he actually knew without giving away any new information that he could use against her.
“I know she’s dead.” Riley explained. “I’ve seen her. Her spirit I mean. She’s been guiding me to the truth.”
Lilian laughed out loud at that, a deep, guttural and mocking laugh. “Her spirit? Good Lord, boy. If you actually believe that then you’re crazier than she was. There is no ghost, no spirit. Just a delusional little boy who’s in way over his head. Take my advice, leave now. Forget everything you’ve seen here. Forget about Noah. You don’t belong here. You never did and you never will, and continuing to dig into the past is only going to cause more hurt, more devastation. Look what you’ve already done to Noah. Do you really want to cause him any more pain?”
“He has a right to know the truth and so do I.” Riley told her. “His truth is mine as well since my parents were involved in whatever you’re trying to cover up, and after lying to us both, you owe us an explanation at the very least.”
Lilian clenched her jaw tightly as she listened to Riley then, when he had finished, she snarled. “You think you know everything, don’t you? You think you’re so righteous, so justified in your quest for answers. Well, let me tell you something. The truth isn’t always what you expect, or want it to be, sweetie. Sometimes it’s dark, ugly–sometimes it’s better off hidden.”
Riley shook his head, his jaw clenched so tightly it hurt. “I don’t care how ugly it is. I want to know what really happened to El, and to my parents. I deserve to know.”
Lilian’s expression hardened, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Then you’d better be prepared for what you find, because once you go down this path, there’s no turning back, and you’ll wish you had left well enough alone.”
Riley’s pulse quickened and his breath came out in short, shallow bursts. He could feel the weight of the past pressing down on him, the secrets that had been buried for so long now clawing their way to the surface. But, despite the fear gnawing at his insides, he refused to give up. He had come too far and uncovered too much to quit now.
“I’m not afraid of the truth,” he said, his voice steady, resolute, “but you should be, because once I find it, once I uncover everything you’ve been hiding, there won’t be anymore lies to shield you, no more secrets to hide behind.”
Lilian’s eyes narrowed, her hands trembling as she clenched them into painfully tight fists. “You think you’re so brave, don’t you? So noble. But you’re just like your father–weak, naive. And just like him, you’re going to get yourself killed chasing after shadows.”
Riley’s heart nearly stopped, Lilian’s words hitting him with the force of a sledgehammer. He swallowed hard, trying to push down the fear and bile that threatened to rise up his throat. “What did you just say?”
“You heard exactly what I said.” Lilian sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. Contempt for Riley and for his parents. “Your father was a foolish child and it cost him his life. Just like it’s going to cost you yours if you don’t stop sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. You’ve been warned, leave now and never come back. For your own sake, and for Noah’s, just leave.”
Riley’s blood ran cold, his mind racing as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. He had always suspected there was more to his parent’s death than he had been told, but hearing Lilian confirm it–hearing her speak of it so callously–made his blood boil with rage.
“You know what happened to them, don’t you?” Riley’s tone was low, dangerous. “You know how they died. You’ve known all along.”
Lilian didn’t respond, but the flicker of fear in her eyes was all the answer he needed. Riley’s heart pounded wildly in his chest, the anger that had been simmering inside now reached it’s boiling point.
“You’re going to tell me everything,” Riley demanded, his voice trembling with fury, “right now. No more lies, no more half-truths. I want the whole story, Lilian. And I’m not going to stop until I get it.”
Lilian’s gaze shifted towards the doorway, as if considering making a run for it, but she quickly composed herself, her chin lifting defiantly. “And what if I don’t?” She challenged, her voice steady, though Riley could see the cracks beginning to form in her facade.
“Then I’ll find it out for myself.” Riley shot back. “And when I do, I’ll make sure the whole world knows what you’ve done.”
Anger flashed across Lilian’s face, followed by a hint of desperation. “You think you can just waltz in here and uncover decades old secrets? Boy, you have no idea who the hell you’re dealing with.”
“Maybe not,” Riley conceded, sharply. He took a tentative step towards her, invading her space as she had done to him earlier. He locked eyes with her and stared her down with a will as strong as steel. “But I’m not going to stop until I’ve exposed every dirty little secret and uncovered every despicable lie. I’ll dig up every skeleton and lay every bone bare and if that means I have to tear this place apart brick by brick to it, so be it.”
The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of Riley’s words hung heavy in the air. Lilian’s composure wavered, her confidence faltering as the reality of the situation began to set in. Riley wasn’t frightened of her, he wasn’t going to be intimidated any longer and he was not about to be swayed by her threats or manipulation. She had underestimated him, not expecting that he would actually fight back.
Lilian’s lips tightened, her eyes narrowing as she took a step towards him. “You’re playing a dangerous game, little boy. You think you’re chasing the truth? Honey, you’re just digging your own grave.”
Riley met her gaze and his stare was as cold as ice. Unflinching, he shrugged. “Maybe, but at least I’ll die knowing the truth.” He turned his back on Lilian and strode towards the doorway, his heart racing, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He could feel Lilian’s eyes burning into him but he didn’t look back at her. He was done playing her games, done being a pawn in her twisted version of reality. He had a mission now, a purpose. And he wasn’t about to stop, not until he uncovered the truth–no matter what it cost him.
As he reached the doorway, he paused, his hand resting against the door frame. Lilian stood behind him, her eyes never leaving him as she watched, waiting to see what he might do next.