Fated Lies (Lies 3)

“But hurting your kids would hurt you.”

I growl, losing my control. I run at her and tackle her to the ground beneath me. “My kids are untouchable, even to you. They can’t be hurt. They are more protected

than anyone on this planet. You may be a monster, but you won’t hurt them.”

“How do you know I won’t?” She wheezes as I crush her beneath the weight of my body.

“I see through you. You’re not the devil you claim to be.”

Then I stand up and walk back to the car.

“What am I supposed to do?” Liesel shouts at me as she sits up on her elbows and watches me get in the driver’s seat.

“Stay alive until I get back.”

“What if I want to run?”

“You don’t. But run if you must, I’ll enjoy the chase.”

Then I slam the door and drive away, knowing that Liesel won’t run. She’ll be here when I get back. She’s tired of running, just like I’m tired of begging for a different, less painful life.

“Daddy!” Rose says as I enter her hospital room.

Everything else in my life fades away with one word. My little girl is sitting in a hospital bed that makes her look tiny and small, smiling up at me like she’s meeting her favorite Disney character, instead of just her father coming to tuck her in.

I walk into the room where Phoenix is sitting next to her. She looks over at me with a worried expression on her face. She stands up and touches my shoulder, telling me everything with that touch. Then she walks out of the room, giving us some privacy.

I sit down on the edge of Rose’s bed, and then I tuck her blonde curls that match my own behind her ear. I eye the cast covering her arm.

“Fell out of a tree?” I ask with a wicked smile. I should be angry that I had to risk my entire plan to come here and be in the hospital with Rose, all because she has a far too adventurous spirit for a normal seven-year-old.

She blushes. “Mom told me not to, but there was a robin that fell out of the nest. I had to help it back.”

I smile, completely in love with my little girl. She’s fearless, compassionate, and kind—everything I’m not.

“You know you should listen to your mom when I’m not around.”

“I know, but you would want me to save the robin. I knew you would be proud of me, so I had to climb the tree. I had to be brave, just like you always tell me.”

I laugh as I pull her into my chest. She’s going to continue to be a handful as she grows up. Boys are going to line up for a chance with her, but she’s too strong-willed to let any boy into her life.

And I have no doubt she’s going to take on the world. I have no idea what she will be when she grows up—a doctor, a veterinarian, a lawyer, an activist, the president. Whatever it is, she’s going to make a positive impact on the world and most likely spin it on its head.

I just hope I’m around long enough to see it.

“Dad!” Atlas yells, as he runs inside Rose’s hospital room.

I wink at Rose, knowing that Atlas is about to lecture Rose on how careless she was. That’s my son, the complete opposite of Rose. While Rose is outgoing, bright, and adventurous, Atlas is introverted, quiet, and serious. He lives life carefully, ensuring that each decision he makes is the right one. He doesn’t run head-on into danger like Rose does.

I scoot Rose over as Atlas climbs up onto the bed. I pull him into my other side until I’m hugging both of my kids. If only I could live the rest of my life here like this, holding my two kids—the only people in my world I truly love anymore.

“Rose climbed a tree even though Mom told her not to,” Atlas says.

“So I’ve been told. And what did you do?”

“I tried to catch her when she fell, but I wasn’t strong enough.”

I notice now that Atlas has some scratches on his arms and his clothes have dirt spots on them.