CHAPTER 55

No More Lies

Julian barely had time to smirk before my fist crashed into his jaw. The impact sent a satisfying crack through the air, but he only staggered back a step, blood trickling from his lip.

"That's more like it," he murmured, wiping the red away with the back of his hand. "Show me who you really are, Nathan."

A growl tore from my throat as I lunged again, my body moving on instinct. I swung hard, but he ducked, catching my wrist and twisting it sharply. Pain flared up my arm, but I gritted my teeth and drove my knee into his ribs.

He let go with a grunt, but before I could press my advantage, his elbow slammed into my side, knocking the breath from my lungs.

Memories flickered through my mind like a broken reel.

Evelyn laughing, sunlight in her hair.

Evelyn's eyes, wide with horror.

My hands—stained red.

I roared, shoving the memories aside and focusing on the man in front of me. Julian was fast, calculated, and worst of all, he knew me. Every move I made, he countered like he had already seen the fight play out.

But rage burned through me hotter than logic. I threw another punch, missed, but spun into a kick that clipped his shoulder. He barely reacted, except for a quiet chuckle.

"This anger—it's good," Julian mused, dodging another blow. "Raw. Uncontrolled. But it won't save you, Nathan."

I didn't answer. I was done with words.

I feinted left and struck right, slamming my fist into his ribs. He gasped but didn't fall. Instead, he grabbed the front of my shirt and yanked me forward, lowering his voice to a near whisper.

"They made you a monster, and you think you can just undo it?" He shoved me back. "You think Riley can?"

The mention of her name sent another surge of fury through me, but before I could react, a voice cut through the chaos.

"Nathan—stop!"

Riley.

I turned my head—just for a second—but that was all Julian needed.

Pain exploded in my side as his foot connected with my ribs. I hit the floor hard, gasping as white-hot agony shot through my body.

Damn it. Focus.

Julian rolled his shoulders, stepping toward Riley with a slow, deliberate pace. "You should let this play out, sweetheart," he said smoothly, eyes glinting with amusement. "Unless you're ready to accept the truth about him."

Riley's hands curled into fists, but she didn't back down. "The truth? You mean the lies you've been feeding him?"

Julian chuckled. "Oh, Riley. You really think you can love a man like him? After everything he's done?"

I pushed myself up, each breath sharp and painful, but I wasn't fast enough.

Julian's gaze locked onto Riley, his smirk widening. "You saw the way he looked at you when he found out. That fear. That disgust. That self-loathing." His voice dropped, lethal and insidious. "Tell me, do you really think he can love you after that?"

Riley's jaw clenched, but she didn't move. Didn't respond.

Because deep down—she wasn't sure.

That hesitation sent a sharp, unexpected pain through me.

Julian turned back to me, triumphant. "See? She knows the truth, even if she won't admit it."

Something inside me snapped.

I surged forward, grabbing him by the collar and driving him into the nearest wall. His head cracked against it, but the bastard only laughed.

"Come on, Nathan," he breathed. "Finish it."

I slammed him against the wall again, harder. My hand curled into a fist, raised high, trembling.

Memories crashed over me in a tidal wave.

The Oath's orders echoing in my head.

The cold steel of a blade pressed against Evelyn's throat.

Her voice, begging me to fight it.

And then—her silence.

A hollow void that had never stopped haunting me.

I looked at Julian, his smirk fading just enough to reveal what lay beneath—expectation. No fear. No doubt.

Because he wanted this.

He wanted me to cross that line again.

He wanted me to prove that I would always be exactly what The Oath made me.

My breathing came fast and sharp, my vision swimming with rage and pain.

One hit. That's all it would take.

One hit, and it would be over.

But then I saw Riley, watching.

Her expression wasn't fear.

It was something worse.

Disappointment.

Something inside me shifted.

This wasn't who I was.

Not anymore.

With a sharp exhale, I let go.

Julian stumbled forward, caught off guard. He looked at me, at the clenched fists at my sides, and let out a quiet chuckle.

"You're still fighting it," he murmured.

"I'm not fighting anything." My voice was low, steady. Unshakable.

Julian tilted his head. "No?"

"No." I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "I'm choosing."

And then, without warning, I struck.

A single, precise blow—one that sent Julian crashing to the floor.

I stood over him, breathing hard, the weight of everything pressing down on me.

He looked up, blood pooling at the corner of his mouth, but he was still smiling.

"You should've killed me," he whispered.

I stared down at him, my pulse pounding.

Maybe he was right. Maybe leaving him alive would come back to haunt me.

But killing him?

That wasn't my choice to make anymore.

Still, I crouched down, my voice a quiet promise. "If you ever come near Riley again, I will end you."

For the first time, Julian's smirk faded.

I rose to my feet, turning toward Riley. She was still watching me, still wary—but there was something else in her eyes. Something that made my chest tighten.

Hope.

Maybe—just maybe—I could be something more than a weapon.

But as I looked back at Julian, his smirk returning, that nagging feeling of unfinished business curled in my gut.

This wasn't over.

Not yet.