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

I’m waiting for the judge to arrive so this can be quick. Judge Berwick has been paid handsomely to make this an open-and-shut case. He will rule in whatever way my father’s legal team deems fit.


Judge Berwick arrives out onto his stage, and everyone rises. I release Layla’s hand and look over at Chester. He’s grinning at me, and rage has me facing forward before I do something f*cking stupid like dashing across the room and plummeting my fist into his face. He thinks he’ll get away with this.


It takes a lot of force to keep me facing forward. The case starts, and after the details are delivered from both sides, Layla is called to the stand. My father’s legal team keeps to their word, and the questioning is over promptly. Layla points at Chester, declaring he is the one who shot her. She’s released from the stand. She walks back to me, her gaze locked on the floor.


Chapter 91: Jared