DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71-

kaza’s tumith opened, then dried Color drained from her cheeks. For a verond the juur bookert

for the first time

Then she laughed short and Hervous Bella what are you even talking abou

‘Don’t My voice cracked “Don’t do that Jones told me he showed me the partures Yes and Canal Best frimin orever You knew You’ve always known who Darrell was to her

She took a step back, bumping into the dresser “It’s not-

You told me to wear the short skirt. You said. He’ll fold easy! You laughed about it You pushed me im. For the A. For the money. And you knew he was Gina’s fiancé. Your best friend’s fiance

Tears burned hot behind my eyes now. I blinked them back hard.

Why I asked, my voice breaking, “Why would you do that to me? To her?”

ara’s eyes darted around the room like she was looking for an exit. Then back to me. “Bella, listen-”

No. Answer me.”

70

ara sighed, running her hand slowly through her hair like she was buying time. They already ended their engagement a ew days ago, but anyway… who told you this?” She paused, eyes flicking to mine.

“No,” I cut in before she could keep going. “The real question is, how long were you trying to hide it from me?”

I stared at her, chest tight. My voice came out low at first, but it built fast. “Why did you ask me to seduce your fnend’s

iancé?”

Lara blinked, caught off guard. “You mean ex-fiancé?”

They were engaged then, weren’t they?” I snapped back, stepping closer. “So why would you do something like thar Whar the hell was your motive?”

The words hung between us, sharp and accusing. Lara’s face paled a shade more. She opened her mouth, closed hen looked down at the soda can like it might give her an answer. Her fingers tightened around it until the aluminum

I didn’t give her time to dodge. “Answer me, Lara. You pushed me into this. You told me exactly what to wear and say. You made it sound like no big deal. So what was the real reason? What did you get out of it

Lara looked at me for a long second, then asked quietly. “You really wanna know

I swallowed hard my throat dry. “Yes, Lara I want to know”

She nodded once, stood up from the edge of her bed, and crossed to the small fridge in the conier. The shoe She pulled out a can of soda, cracking it with a sharp hiss-the fizz exploding loudly in the squic rooms S throat working, then set the can on the table with a soft clink Bubbles still rose inside at popping Tantly

When she turned back to me her face was calmner than it should have been she met my eyes straight on

“I did it and planned it because I was in love with Gina,’ she sand

14

The words landed like a punch I didn’t ser coming For a full minute the room was dead silent just the tam hur of the fridge and the distant noise of someone laughing in the hallway outside

I stared at her. My brows pulled together so tight it burt My mouth opened but nothing came out a fost Contusion crashed over me in waves-hot, dizzying Love? With Gma?

2/3

7:47 am Pppp

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