Deep Webs and Deeper Lies

Catherine’s POV “Help! Help! Anybody! please!” I shouted into the night. The seatbelt wouldn’t budge. Derek’s head pressed against the wheel, blood dripping from his scalp. He didn’t move. My hand touched wetness between my legs. Blood. A high-pitched scream followed. I jolted awake. Sweat pouring down my face, heart pounding. My eyes darted around. I was still in my apartment. I let out a deep sigh. Just another nightmare. My fingers reached blindly for the face towel on my bedside table, but caught on a piece of paper instead. Curious, I lifted it, the edges crinkling softly in my hand. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Led by Mr. Jason Donovan Tuesdays & Wednesdays | 4–7 p.m. St. Mark’s Community Hall, Grover Street. A safe space to listen, speak, and heal. I studied every word intently, thumb trailing slow circles over his name, absently, like muscle memory. After five years of waiting and planning, I had finally found him. I swung my legs off the bed. The cheap mattress creaking loudly as I stood. I dropped to my knees and reached under the bed, pulling out the box I kept hidden there. Inside it was my scrapbook. I sat on the cold floor and opened it. The first newspaper clipping stared back at me. Hit-and-Run Horror: Drunk driver kills husband and unborn child; wife critically injured. Billionaire heir Jason Donovan arrested. I turned the page. Jason Donovan escapes DUI hit-and-run conviction; fined $50,000. My fingers tightened around the paper. I kept flipping Billionaire Ray Donovan Dies at 65; Younger Son Named Heir. Jason Donovan Steps Away From Family Business to Launch Philanthropy Initiatives The next page was blank. I slid the flyer into place, smoothing it flat, and placed it back into the box. The wall clock read 3:30 p.m. I jumped to my feet, and pulled a dark blue dress from my closet, the one I had chosen days ago. Tight enough to hug my curves, enough to draw his attention, but not enough to suggest I was there for anything other than what I claimed to be. For this to work, every detail had to be right. I tied my hair back in front of the mirror, letting a few strands fall loose around my face. My eyes met my reflection. Tired, with shadows beneath them deep enough to tell l’d been carrying a burden too heavy for me. My gaze drifted to the photo taped to the corner of the mirror. Derek, my swollen belly, our smiles caught in time. I pressed my fingers to it, a small smile touching my lips. That picture had been taken three days before the accident. Before everything shattered. Jason Donovan had destroyed my life. And now he thought he could play philanthropist, like none of it mattered. I picked up the half-smoked cigarette from the ashtray and inhaled. Smoke curled around my fingers as I looked at myself in the mirror. “I’m going to make sure you know exactly what this feels like.” I crushed the cigarette, grabbed my purse, and shut the door firmly behind me.