Timmy grins. Of course he does. Hefeedson this—her pain, her frustration, her despair.
He thrives on it.
I slam my fist onto the desk, the echo sharp in the empty room. I want to rip him out of that apartment, throw him into the ocean, and watch him sink under the weight of his own cruelty.
But I can’t. Not yet.
Because Margaux still isn’t ready.
But she’s getting there.
And when she is, I’ll be there to pull her out of this hellhole—to remind her of who she is.
Of what she’s worth.
And as for Timmy?
He won’t know what hit him.
CHAPTER 96
WHEN THE TRUTH IS OPTIONAL
MARGAUX
LATER IN THE DAY
“Who are you talking to?” Timmy asks, his tone sharp and accusatory, his voice tinged with an anger that seems to grow louder with every ignored question. When I don’t answer, he huffs and sneers, “You’re raking for Sandoval.”
I blink.What does that even mean?
He’s clearly spiraling, each barbed comment more ludicrous than the last.
He’s become strangely obsessed with the whole Scandoval situation, despite claiming to hate reality TV. The irony isn’t lost on me, but I can’t muster the energy to react. Instead, I remain silent, hoping he’ll tire himself out.
But Timmy isn’t one to be ignored.
“The person who raped you… you deserved it,” he spits.
The air leaves my lungs. There was a time when this type of hate-fueled comment would have led to tears—and it still hurts, for sure—but I say nothing, because what’s the point?
“You’re ugly,” he adds, his words slicing through the room like a serrated knife.
I message Alice and let her know he’s acting even more erratic and cruel than what has become normal.
Alice:
You have to make arrangements to separate yourself from him.
He’s losing control of you and is spiraling.
I curl up in bed, my exhaustion outweighing my fear. Timmy’s venomous words reverberate in my head as I drift into a restless sleep.
I wake to Timmy stumbling into the apartment, his voice booming.
“I’m going to destroy your life, you stupid cunt!”he screams, his face twisted with rage. Before I can react, he spits on me. Warm saliva splashes onto my face and arm.
If I wanted to be in a splash zone, I’d go to Sea World.