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

We dry in silence, and when Jared reaches for me, I grip his hand while my emotions skyrocket. It’s like all his pain is transferred in that small touch. We walk to his room, and with each step, his features continue to tighten.


Once we’re in his room, Jared strips off the rest of his clothes. He’s standing still, holding the key in his hand. He’s lost in his thoughts, and pain tears through me as tears roll down his face. I’m frozen, broken, as my chest threatens to cave in. Jared takes the key from around his neck and places it on the top of the chest of drawers. He half looks at me before going to his walk-in wardrobe. With him out of sight, my heart palpitates, and I take quick, deep breaths.


Don’t cry, Layla. Don’t cry, I chant in my head. Yet tears escape, and I wipe them away quickly as Jared returns dressed in sweatpants and a T-shirt. He hands me sweatpants and a T-shirt as well.


Chapter 96: Layla