Chapter 15

They came to in a hospital room. When Cole opened his eyes, he found Valerie hovering by his bedside, her eyes swollen from crying. His expression cooled over in an instant. "Why are you here?" Valerie bit her lip, her eyes filling with tears. "Cole, what was that apology you posted supposed to mean? You told me you've always loved me." Cole held her gaze for a long beat, then let out a cold laugh. "Valerie, the woman I loved was just a facade you put up. It was just an act, wasn't it?" "So what if it was?" She caught his hand and clung to it. "If that's what you want, I can keep it up forever. Cole, I know I messed up. I won't do those things again. They went after me first—I didn't lie to you. This is all their fault. I—" "Enough!" Cole yanked his hand free. "You still don't think you did anything wrong?" He looked at her seriously. "We grew up together. I don't know when you became so cruel. Maybe you always were and just hid it. Either way, looking at you now makes my skin cr