Little Liar (The Web of Silence Duet, #2)

by Leigh Rivers

Malachi, I’m sorry I can’t be there for you anymore, son. I hope you can one day forgive me for leaving. You see, Daddy’s head isn’t a nice place, and he’s not good for you and your mother. I tried so hard, but you both deserve better.

I wish I could choose you and fight the poison in my brain, but I can’t. I’ll see you again one day, but hopefully not anytime soon. Your new eight-legged friend will protect you, just like I know you’ll protect him. I suggest the name Rex or Spikey. Don’t be afraid of him. After all, you’re an arachnophile, just like me. Love, Daddy.

Rex is my only friend now. He’s silent. So am I. Mommy hates that I don’t talk to her anymore, but I like keeping things to myself. Everything I say always results in a slap across my face or her yelling at me. He’s the only one who talks to me now without using words. My best friend. My protector. My hero until Daddy comes home.

When I turn eight, I don’t get any birthday cards or a cake like the other kids in the orphanage—I sit under the bed with a drawing of my spider and imagine a crowd of people singing happy birthday to me, and we blow out candles that I draw. I close my eyes and make a wish. I wish someone would choose me.

Without thinking, because I want her to like me too, I lift my hands and sign, Please don’t be afraid of me.

She won’t be taken from me. I’ll make sure of it. I’ll be good. I’ll do as I’m told. I’ll be the kid they obviously needed to complete their family. Olivia. My new little sister. I couldn’t protect my mom or Rex, but I think I could protect her. I will protect her. Because she’s mine.

There’s a boundary that society created, stopping me from falling in love with my sister, and I want to tear that boundary to fucking shreds and keep her. I’ll set fire to it and everyone who stands in my way. I love Olivia, but I’m not sure it’s the same way I grew up loving her anymore. It’s stronger, violent, and I have a feeling if she ordered me to get on my knees and kiss her fucking feet, I’d do it. Anything she asked, I’d do.

I’m imagining him in a body bag. Bloodied. Ripped to shreds. Diced and minced and pulverized. No longer in existence. No one will ever be good enough for Olivia.

I’m furious right now. I might kill our parents and make it look like an accident. I could set the house on fire, trap them both in my dad’s office, and be Olivia’s shoulder to cry on before I inevitably somehow make her fall in love with me. Fuck. I just said that.

The more I look at her, the more I realize how doomed I am. I’ve never had any luck—but she’s the rainbow I’ll fucking chase to win something more important than my own life.

She slaps my arm after I shake my head, and I grit my teeth, wanting her to hit me harder. Slap my face. Spit on me. Fucking pull my hair and call me the best big brother ever.

They can dope me up with meds, force me into an institution, try to cleanse me of my fucking sins. I’ll still be living and breathing for my sister, waiting for her to choose me.

Unless you want me to fuck you on this table in front of the entire restaurant, then you better run.

Run, Olivia. I want to chase you. I want to catch you. I want to fuck you until you scream so loud, you lose your voice just like I have.

Malachi, What happened to us? We had everything. A family, friends, food in our stomachs and a roof over our heads. We had love. Real love. Did it ever exist? Was it all fake? Am I an idiot for wanting your love, in whatever form

anyway? I was mad at you for lying to me about your date with Anna, but I never wanted this to happen. We were supposed to argue, yell, kiss, and make up. You would’ve explained your side if I only let you. I shouldn’t have silenced you the way I did. That was terrible of me and I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry, Malachi. I know what happened with Dad was a mistake. It was the sign we all needed from you to show how much you’re struggling, and I’m going to help you, I promise. Give me some time to talk to our parents. I’ll tell them the truth about us. Once Dad is doing better and Mom isn’t on the warpath with everyone, I’ll tell them that I’m in love with you and everything you said was true. I’ll spare them the details of that night though. Let’s agree to never talk about that. We’ll do everything as new. Everything. Mom is hellbent on me marrying still, so I need to try to get her to stop. I’ll refuse. I won’t marry anyone who isn’t you, Malachi, because you’re the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, even if I have to wait a while. Please keep yourself out of trouble. I’ll visit as soon as Mom lets me. I’m so sorry I did this to you. You don’t have to forgive me. But I hope you do. I love you more than everything: It shouldn’t have taken me losing you to realize that. I should’ve chosen you. Olivia

my paranoia at this point is close to mass destruction because what the fuck?

“I don’t know if I can ever forgive you,” he tells me. “But I’ll try.” I flinch as his hand lands on my shoulder. He pats me twice, then slides his hand off me and goes to turn around. “Dad,” I say, my nerves taking over when he pauses. I rub my fist against my chest with more meaning than ever. I’m sorry. “I know, son.”

Clear as day, he speaks. “I’m your partner. Your lover. Your brother. Your everything, Olivia.” Then he lifts his slightly stained hands to sign, But what you are to me is something more than any words can explain. If someone found a way to remove you from existence, I would burn the world before making sure my soul found yours in the afterlife.

I think, if Olivia wants one, I’m going to do that one day. I’ve witnessed her smiles when holding a baby, and the way she looks at them when nearby. I’ve no idea when or how or if I’ll ever be good enough to take on the role of a father, but if Olivia wants a family, I’ll give her one. I’d give her the fucking world if she asked.