Chapter 20: The Lie Between Them
Danielle was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at the folded dress on the chair like it was some demon ready to eat her.
"I'm not going," she said finally. "You can tell whoever ordered you that I'm not stepping anywhere near that place."
Theo was standing near the window, watching her reflection in the glass. "You don't have a choice, Danielle." He wrapped his arms around his chest.
"I do," she replied quickly. "I'll run away if I have to."
He turned then. "Run where? You think disappearing will solve anything? You already tried that."
She looked away, jaw tightened harder. "That was different."
"No," Theo was correcting her, walking closer until his shadow fell over her knees. "It was the same. You wanted to escape pain. You thought death was easier than facing it. And now you're saying you'll run again instead of seeing your father. It's the same pattern."
Danielle's throat burned. "You don't know what it's like seeing him. He looks at me and all I see is control. Expectations. Fear. I don't want that again."
"You tried to end your life because you thought he was gone. You probably cried too. Now he's alive, and you want to pretend he doesn't exist?"
She hated that he used logic. Hated even more that it made sense.
"I just…" she muttered, her voice starting to crack. "I don't know how to look at him and not feel like a mistake."
Theo sighed through his nose. "Then look at him and remember that he's your father. Whatever else he is cruel, cold, powerful, he's still the man who gave you a reason to live once. You owe yourself closure, not fear."
Danielle clenched her fists. "You'll be there?"
"Every second," he said.
Her shoulders fell. "Fine. But if he starts shouting, I'll walk out."
Theo smirked. "Then I'll make sure he doesn't."
The next morning came too early. Danielle stayed under the blanket long after Theo had already packed his things for the trip. When she finally got up, she moved around the room like an irritated ghost.
Theo noticed, but didn't comment. He was used to the silent treatment by now.
While she brushed her hair, she caught him watching her from the mirror.
"What?" Danielle asked, annoyed.
"Nothing," he replies. "Just making sure you're not planning another escape."
She rolled her eyes. "You're not funny."
"I wasn't joking."
That made her pause. Then Danielle sighed and changed the subject. "Does he know about… the report?"
Theo stopped. "No."
"You hesitated."
"I said no."
But the tone was off. Danielle caught it immediately. "You're lying."
"You asked a question. I gave you an answer. Leave it."
"Theo, tell me the truth. Does he know what happened to me?"
Theo's jaw tightened, but he didn't say anything. That was all the answer she needed.
"You said he didn't. You promised me!"
"I said he doesn't know everything," Theo corrected her. "There's a difference."
She blinked, stung. "You lied."
Theo looked away. "I protected you."
"From what?" she demanded.
"From breaking again. If you knew he already knew, you would've done something reckless. You always do when you're cornered."
"I trusted you."
"You still can."
"No, I can't…You treat me like a child."
He gave a humorless smile. "No, I treat you like someone who forgets she's alive until someone reminds her."
That shut her up.
Danielle turned away first, picking up her bag.
"You're cruel, Theo," she said quietly.
He didn't disagree. "So I've been told."
They didn't speak much after that. Theo followed her to class every single day. He didn't trust how calm things had been since the article broke.
Students whispered when they passed. Danielle heard words like "bodyguard," "that guy from the gate," "is she dating him?" She ignored them, but her cheeks were giving it away anyway.
They giggled.
From outside the glass wall, Theo wasn't watching the girls, but Jackson, who had just entered the hall.
Jackson saw Theo too. His grin was all provocation.
"Well, well," he said loudly. "The guard dog returns."
"Still barking for attention, Jackson?"
"You think you're funny?"
Theo shrugged. "I think I'm wasting my breath."
That made Jackson's jaw twitch. "You'll regret crossing me."
Theo took one step forward, just close enough for Jackson to catch his stare. "I already did once," he said. "Didn't hurt much."
The words landed like quiet blows. Jackson sneered and turned away, shoving through the door.
Jackson went to Danielle's desk. "Miss me?"
Danielle ignored him.
He chuckled under his breath. "Pretending I'm not here won't save you."
"Jackson, acting like a little bitch won't make your pickle get bigger. So please, I'm trying to learn here."
"…"
Well, there it was…Danielle hit the nerve again, and Jackson couldn't tolerate it. He gritted his teeth so hard, even Danielle could hear it.
"Save them. You might need them when Theo breaks your jaw."
"What did you just say?" Jackson glared at Danielle who was uninterestingly looking at Theo.
Jackson somehow caught her glance, and something crossed his mind, 'so he's your new boy toy, huh?'
And when the day was finally over, a long black car pulled by the campus gates. Theo let Danielle get inside first, then he joined.
"It's been a while, Danielle. The president is excited to see you," Frank greeted her.
"Yeah, me too…" Danielle lied, looking through the window.
"It's going to be a two hour ride, miss Danielle. Please rest."
"Theo is the one who needs to rest. He doesn't sleep these days."
Frank looked at Theo, and immediately noticed his pale skin. "You're not supposed to look this weak, Theo. I will get someone to replace you."