Chapter 10 Threatened All Along

The messages kept getting nastier, each one crueler than the last, and the latest had popped up just minutes ago. Damian looked ready to breathe fire. He turned to Erin, his eyes bloodshot. "So Lila's been threatening you all along?" Erin could tell that he believed her. She stalled like she didn't know where to start, then forced herself to speak. "Maybe it was just… a rash moment. She didn't mean it. "After all, I stole Mom's and Dad's affection, and I stole you, too. She has every right to hate me. It's okay, Damian. I'm used to it. And… I did set her up earlier today, so that makes us even." She looked up at him and chose her words carefully. "But Damian, please believe me. I never meant to frame her. The doctor said that those messages left me with PTSD. When Lila sent a text insulting Mom and Dad, I lost control, hurt myself, and pinned it on her." Her words came out neat and polished. They highlighted her gentle, generous side, excused her earlier actions, and, almost in pa