Chapter 15 : The Truth in the Lies

**Cat POV "Honestly, Mr. Carter, I was here to break up with Cat," Aaron said, breaking the silence. I laughed, shaking my head and looking down. That was news to me. "When I got here, she was on her way out for the party. We didn't have time to talk. I was waiting for her to get back," he continued. Luke glanced sideways at me. He had questions, but he wasn't going to ask them right now. I was grateful that he wasn't going to pester me or put me on the spot while everyone else was standing around. "I've been wanting to break up with her for a while," Aaron added, smirking at me. My jaw dropped open, and I stared straight at Aaron. He was such a liar! My blood boiled, and I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. I wanted to shout to everyone that Aaron was a liar, a cheater, and no good scum! I looked around. Fiona, Mr. Carter, and Mrs. Carter we all looking at me expectantly with blinking eyes and curious looks. Fiona looked just as curious as the others. She believed whatever lies Aaron was telling her. Blinking several times, I stepped away from Luke. If I told them all the truth, Aaron and Fiona would deny it. They'd gang up on me and paint me to be the bad guy. With a hard, painful swallow, I forced that scream back down. "I should go," I whispered. Breaking away from Luke completely, I turned to leave the house. Luke grabbed my wrist to stop me. "Cat, is that the truth?" Sighing, I looked around the room again. Everyone was still staring at me, waiting for an answer. As much as I wanted to put up a fight, it wasn't the right time. Fiona wasn't exactly someone I liked. It didn't really bother me that she was marrying someone that was lying to her. I could just count my losses now and be glad I didn't have to deal with his lying anymore. It was an easy out to this drama. I didn't want to be a part of it, anyway. My stomach twisted, and I sucked my lower lip under my teeth. I hung my head and nodded. "Yes, that's true," I muttered. "Well, now that that is settled, let's talk about the wedding," Mrs. Carter gushed, grabbing Fiona's hand. "I really don't want to be here for that," I whispered. I tried to pull away from Luke, but he held on to my wrist. "We need to plan this fast, before you start showing," Mrs. Carter continued. She grabbed Fiona and sat her down on the couch. Mr. Carter sat across from them, staring hard at Aaron. "You should sit down, Cat. You still look pretty weak," Luke said. He guided me to a nearby chair. "Mom, I don't want a wedding at the hotel. I want it to be outside, near water," Fiona said with a huff. "Honey, the weather won't be nice enough to be near water. Besides, the bugs will just be coming out. You want an inside wedding," Mrs. Carter argued. "How much is this wedding going to cost me?" Mr. Carter barked. "Cost is not an issue," Mrs. Carter assured her daughter. Through all the chatter, I felt a prickle on the back of my neck. My spine stiffened, and I subtly glanced over my shoulder at Aaron. He was standing behind Fiona, his hands on her shoulders. But his eyes were on me. No one else noticed because they were talking about the wedding. Luke was also focused on me. I didn't know why he was taking care of me. He ran his hand down my cheek, moving my hair out of my face. "I can't imagine this is easy," he said gently. "I want to go to bed," I said softly. Luke nodded. He stood up and turned to his family. "Everyone, get out now!" he demanded. "Luke, we just started talking about the wedding," Mrs. Carter said. "I don't care. This is my home and none of you are staying here. Get your bags and go stay at the hotel," he ordered. "Son, it is late," Mr. Carter said. "It has been a long night for everyone. I need to rest, and I want a quiet house tonight and in the morning," he hissed through ground teeth. His family started gathering their things and leaving, Aaron following along without hesitation. They were muttering to each other, but none of them would look at me or look at Luke. I felt a little bad that Luke was sending everyone away for me. At the same time, the gesture was sweet. "Come on, I'll get you upstairs, and I'll call the doctor. I want to get that cut stitched up before you go to sleep," he said. Luke took the hand on my uninjured side and pulled me into a standing position. I let him lead me upstairs to one of the guest rooms. We were silent the entire time. I had nothing left to say. Sitting on the end of the bed, I zoned out while Luke called the doctor. My arm stung. I hadn't had a chance to think about it with all the chaos happening. Gently, I rubbed the bandage. It didn't just sting. Under the gauze, it itched like crazy. Like bugs crawling under my skin. "The doctor will be here shortly," Luke said. I looked over at him, almost forgetting he was there. "Thanks." "Cat, are you sure that everything Aaron said was the truth?" he asked, sticking his phone in his pocket. "It doesn't matter," I said, shaking my head. "It does to me," he said, giving me a weak smile. "Aaron came by for a visit. He lied about how long his relationship with Fiona was going on," I explained. "Why didn't you say anything?" Luke asked, his brow creasing. "It wasn't worth it to me." I sighed, my body feeling so heavy and exhausted after everything. "I'm sorry about my sister and my parents." Luke sat down on the bed next to me. He gave me a respectful amount of space, but our thighs nearly brushed together. I looked down at how close my leg was to his, my cheeks getting warmer. "That's family, right? They drive you nuts," I said, laughing a little. "Sure. My family… has a tendency to do that. That's why I am in the city, away from my parents," he explained. "Your parents seem supportive of you and proud," I said. Luke chuckled and nodded. "Sure they are. They are also critical, belittling, and nosy." "But they came to the party to support your work." My mom would never have done something like that. She was far too busy with her new boyfriends. She hadn't even come to my college graduation. "They did. Mostly to interfere with my personal life and check up on me. I suppose I never can really escape my family, can I?" he mused quietly. "It could be worse. They could show no interest at all," I pointed out dryly. Luke sighed. He reached out like he was going to touch my leg, and his hand hovered over my knee. Luke's phone buzzed, and he checked his messages, pulling his hand away. "The doctor's here," he muttered. He left the room. I laid back on the bed and closed my eyes. This felt like the longest day ever! The doctor arrived and unbandaged my cut. He cleaned the wound and sterilized it. "You did a good job managing the bleeding," he said to Luke. "I've had practice," he said with a shrug. The doctor twisted my arm back and forth, examining the cut. "This will be quick. I'll just inject a little local anesthetic and you won't feel a thing." "Thanks," I said. My eyes flicked to Luke. He was standing in the doorway respectfully, but he was watching closely. "I'm okay, now," I assured him. I winced when the doctor stuck the needle in my arm. "That part does pinch, sorry," he said, grinning. He was young for a doctor. He had slick black hair and was wearing a nice suit. I'd expected a lab coat. I got the sense that he did these kinds of house calls often. "You might not want to watch," the doctor said, pulling a suture kit out. I nodded and turned my head away. Even though I couldn't feel it, I gritted my teeth as he worked. "I'm staying here just to follow through. Besides, I'm too much of a gentleman to leave you alone with a strange man," Luke said, grinning. "You don't know this guy?" I asked, shocked enough to turn back to the doctor. "I know him. You don't," Luke said, chuckling. I sighed and rolled my eyes. "I suppose I should be appreciative." "What do you say to getting out of that dress?" Luke asked. "Right now?" I asked, creasing my brow. "With this strange man in the room?" I looked down at the fancy dress I was still wearing. The doctor chuckled at me, knowing we were being silly. "Let me make a call. Just, sit tight," he said, smirking at me as he pulled his phone out. I shook my head. Now that his family was gone, I was feeling more relaxed. Being around Aaron and Fiona kept me on edge. The doctor finished with my arm and put a fresh bandage on. "That'll do. Make sure to change the bandage daily, clean the area around the wound, but keep the sutures dry. They'll dissolve on their own," he explained. "Thank you," I said, cradling my arm against me. "Call me if you need anything. Like if your arm gets worse or if you need help dealing with that guy," the doctor said, nodding toward Luke. I giggled and nodded, taking the business card the doctor handed me. Luke returned as the doctor was leaving. They exchanged a few words, and then the doctor was gone. "Hey, I just called Adelle. She's the live-in maid here. She'll be up to help get you settled," he explained. I nodded. "Thank you." I wasn't sure what else to say. He was so thoughtful and kind. Adelle arrived quickly, looking flushed. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting." She bowed her head to Luke. "You didn't," he assured her gently. "I'm sorry to wake you so late." Adelle's olive-colored cheeks flushed, and she shook her head. "I was awake, sir. Your parents… they made a lot of noise." She giggled and covered her mouth. She was my age with her soft brown hair in a ponytail. Her eyes were blue, and her features were soft. She was short and slender, wearing jeans and a T-shirt. I'd expected a cute maid outfit from Luke. "Thanks for helping," I said as Adelle brought a fresh pair of pajamas to me. They looked new and in my size. I wondered if Luke just kept women's pajamas at his house in case he had sleepovers or if maybe they were his sister's. I hoped not. I didn't want anything of hers. But I accepted them, gratefully, from the housekeeper. Luke backed out of the room and left us together. "I'm sorry you have to work off hours," I said. "Trust me, I wasn't getting back to sleep after Mr. Carter's family was here. They're so ridiculously loud, always screaming about everything like a bunch of crazy people!" she said, giggling. Suddenly, she looked scared. "I shouldn't have said that!" "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me," I assured her with a smile.