Hate me

Aspen

“Whiskers?” 

The party starts in an hour and I need to feed her before people start arriving. However, she’s not in her blanket like she usually is. 

Huffing, I walk over to Knox’s bed. She’s grown more brazen, so maybe she wandered over there. 

I just hope she didn’t leave him any presents on his mattress or pillow because then I’ll never hear the end of it. 

When it’s clear she didn’t snuggle up on his bed, I decide to check under it. “Come on, baby. Where are you?” 

Dropping to my knees, I extend my arm as far as it can go, hoping to feel some fur, but no dice. 

There’s not a lot of space between the frame and the floor, but she’s still tiny. Maybe she’s stuck in a corner under there. 

Using the flashlight on my phone, I search under the bed. The only thing I find are cobwebs and lint. 

I’m about to stand up and search elsewhere, but something sparkly catches my eye. 

Edging forward, I grab the object with my fingers. 

My blood runs cold as I take in the Swarovski crystal candy cane necklace. 

The same necklace Candi Cane always wore. 

My heartbeat drums in my ears as I stare down at it. 

Why would he have this? 

I close my eyes, sucking in a heavy breath. My brain knows the truth, but the organ in my chest keeps trying to look for a loophole. 

The room blurs as my mind tries to put the pieces together…but fails. 

I startle when I hear the door open and Knox walks in. 

My expression must give me away because he eyes me warily. 

“I—”

I hold up the necklace. “Why do you have this?” I quickly get to my feet. “Why the hell do you have her necklace, Knox?” 

His jaw locks, and he takes a step closer. It feels like an eternity before he speaks. 

“Why do you think I have it?” 

My stomach drops. 

Don’t be an idiot, Aspen. There’s only one reason he would have it. 

I move, but so does he. It’s like a terrible game of Simon Says. 

I open my mouth, but no words escape. I feel like I’m choking on them. 

My palms sweat and everything around me starts to spin. 

“Did you kill her?” I croak after another minute passes. 

I feel like I’m going to pass out as I wait for him to answer. 

I expect him to deny it. I want him to deny it. However, the next words out of his mouth only leave me more conflicted. 

“What do you think?” 

That’s a loaded question. 

I know what I should think. 

I know what the evidence points to. 

I know about his past. 

I know what my mind is telling me. 

I just don’t want to believe it. 

I want to hold on to the hate I feel for him…

Because that’s when I trust my instincts and keep my guard up. 

And something’s telling me that’s the only way I’m going to survive these next few months. 

I avert my gaze. “Where is Whiskers?”

Taking a step back, he shrugs. “No idea.” 

“What do you mean, you have no idea? No one else stays down here with her.” 

He reaches for his cigarettes on the nightstand. “I don’t know where your stupid cat is, okay? Now fuck off.”

I clench my hands until they become fists. “Where is Whiskers, Knox?” 

There’s no way he doesn’t know. He’s the only one who’s always here with her. 

He lights his cigarette, takes a drag, and proceeds to blow the smoke in my face. “The bitch was overstaying her welcome. Kind of like someone else I know.” His lips curve into a menacing smirk. “But I think she got the hint when I left the door open on my way out earlier.” 

It’s like a knife lodged in my heart. He knows how much I care about her. 

So of course he’d use that to hurt me. 

Because that’s what he does. 

Every reward is followed by a much harsher punishment. 

Stepping closer, I spit in his face. “I hate you.” 

He drags his thumb over the wet spot on his jaw and brings it to his mouth. “Don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll come back.” His eyes sharpen as he delivers his next words. “Strays always do.”