You’re off the hook. (Patreon)

“Get out, Roth!”

“I know I’ve let you down,” he said in a driven tone. “That I broke promises. I swear, I’ll—”

“I don’t want to hear that shit!” she shrieked, left hand lashing out so water cascaded over the side of the tub. “I don’t need anymore apologies or false promises. I’m so sick of believing things will get better. I was cursed before I drew my first breath and nothing’s changed. I don’t belong.”

“You belong with me.”

She threw her head back and let out a deranged laugh that bounced off the walls and high ceiling. “Like I said, I was cursed from the start. Fate was cruel to pair me with a man who only sought to use me and sees the same flaws in me my father did.”

She blinked to clear her vision, but more tears replaced the ones that fell, so she gave up.

“You’re off the hook. You don’t have to save Hennessy & Co. You can let it fall. Lyle was hoping the company would crash and burn. Instead, I cut a deal with you to save it, creating more problems and misery for all of us. My sisters are better off without it. Later they’ll realize it was for the best…” Her shoulders sagged under the invisible weight of what felt like massive boulders. “You need to leave,” she said softly.

“I need you.”

“You don’t need anyone, Roth. Both times you thought I’d be useful only to discover what a liability I am. I told you I never belonged. Now you see it too.” She was so exhausted, her words began to slur. “I’m sorry you didn’t get your money’s worth.”

“I didn’t mean that, princess.”

**This is a raw draft of Bitter Sins. Please do not share or distribute.

Copyright © 2025 Mia Knight. All Rights Reserved.