Empire of Lies

Swallowing, I back down and let out a breath. “If you’re doing this for ransom—Like, if that was your plan all along, I can happily put you in touch with the Thatchwood Estate. I rejected my inheritance years ago, but my father said it would always be there if I changed my mind.” I hesitate. “It’s worth eight million.”

“No,” he said. “It’s worth eighteen million.”

“So, you made me fall in love with you so you could get it? That’s what this is about?”

“I didn’t make you do anything, and for what it’s worth, I’ve earned your inheritance several times over in the past few years, so trust me, eighteen million isn’t much of an incentive for shit.”

“A few days ago, you asked me what I would want if I could have anything in the world.” I change the subject, hoping to gain ground again.

“You chose not to answer. I took your non-response to mean nothing.”

“I didn’t answer because I wasn’t exactly sure,” I said. “I can tell you what I want.”

“I no longer give a fuck about what you want.” He looked down at his chess set. “I want to replace that chess set, so I’m going to do that.”

“I think you do want to know.” I looked right into his eyes. “I’d like to ask you a question, and I’d like you to be one hundred percent honest with me.”

“Meredith—”

“How’d you know my name on the first night we met?” I cut him off before he could shut me down.

“What?” He looks caught off guard. “What did you just say?”

“I’ve replayed all of our memories and encounters over and over again, and I can’t remember a single moment when I told you my name that first night. How did you already know it?”

He doesn’t answer, but his eyes tell me all I needed to know.

There’s something he isn’t telling me. I suddenly feel like I’m on the set of a dark film, the only actress who doesn’t have access to the script. I also know that there’s something darker, deeper to this, and I’m not sure if I should push him for more.

Then again, I can’t help. it

“Did you know who I was before we met?” I stare at him. “Yes or no?”

“It’s best if I don't answer that question.”

“Had you seen me before we met? Like around town?”

He stares at me, looking torn between answering and ignoring me. Stepping back, he walks toward the door, silently letting me know that this conversation is over.

“Yes,” he says, looking over his shoulder. “I’d seen you several times before we met…”