23
"Man, are you seriously going to harm Kiana just because of that woman, Leslie?!" Travis yelled.
"Kiana?" Denver's expression contorted with rage. He lifted his foot once more and this time struck Dorothy forcefully in the torso.
His gaze was as frigid and menacing as that of a fiend from the underworld.
"Tell us what's really going on! Who are you?"
Dorothy cradled her bruised hand, tears coursing down her cheeks.
However, this time her weeping had no effect.
Denver was no longer the man who would show her compassion or shield her from harm.
She bowed her head, and her voice quavered as she spoke.
"A-Alright... I... I'll confess.
"Denver... Travis... I'm truly sorry. I deceived you both.
"I'm not Kiana. I'm just a fraud. But my emotions for you... they've always been genuine!"
She gazed up at Denver.
"I've adored you since our childhood. My affection for you is as profound as hers—perhaps even deeper.
"But no matter what I did, you never noticed me.