Jared
They say love and hate dance together on one line.
My feelings for Layla don’t dance on the line; they destroy it.
It’s been seven years since she disappeared.
And now she’s back, but things have changed—I’ve changed.
I’m no longer the Jared she remembers, the boy who wanted to protect her.
I’m very much my father’s son, and I take what I want, and what I want is Layla.
But this time, I’m keeping her forever.
Layla
Seven years—that’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen him.
After painstakingly putting myself back together, I’m finally ready to start a life without his memory chasing my every step.
Imagine my surprise when my new beginning leads me straight back to him.
Only he’s not the boy I remember.
He’s angry.
Damaged.
Hiding secrets that want to destroy him.
He hates me. He wants me.
I’m not sure I’ll survive the man he has become. His demons threaten to destroy us both.
Broken People Duet: Deceive Me is created by Vi Carter, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Broken People Duet (1): Deceive Me

"Great. I have to go, Jared." I hang up and go downstairs. I check out the house to discover I’m home alone. That often happens if Evelyn gets called into the hospital late. She’ll stay the night with the child who’d been brought in. 


She’d done that with me when I was taken to the hospital. I didn’t speak to her then. I can still remember when she walked into the room. 


I haven’t spoken one word in nine days. I’ve had so many people arrive and try to make me open up, only to realize I’m not talking. They always leave, but today is different. 


Chapter 33: Layla