Chapter 263
Chapter 263:
Rose slapped him, the sound cracking through the room. “You know nothing about me.”
Herod touched his stinging cheek, staring at the woman he thought he knew. “I know you set me up to take the fall for everything. I know you left evidence in my apartment. I know you made sure you had alibis while I was planting bombs.”
Fear flickered in Rose’s eyes before she masked it with anger. “That’s insane. Why would I do that?”
“Because you never planned for us to be together after this was over,” Herod said quietly. “I was always going to be the scapegoat. The crazy bomber with a grudge against Victoria Kane.”
“If that’s what you believe, then we have nothing left to discuss,” Rose said coldly, turning away to gather her things.
Herod watched her pack, a strange calm settling over him. “The lawyer reminded me of something Charles used to say.”
Rose didn’t look up. “I don’t care what your dead brother said.”
“He said it’s never too late to be the person you should have been.” Herod’s voice was soft but steady. “I’ve been living with anger for so long, blaming Victoria Kane for everything bad in my life. Using that as an excuse to do terrible things.”
“Spare me the sermon.” Rose zipped her bag closed. “We need to leave. Now.” She glanced at her watch. “I have a contact meeting us at the bus station in an hour. He’ll get us new IDs, enough to cross the border.”
Herod didn’t move. “I’m not going with you.”
“Don’t be stupid.” Rose grabbed his arm. “If you stay, they’ll catch you. You’ll spend the rest of your life in prison.”
“Maybe that’s what I deserve,” Herod pulled his arm away. “For the bombs. For working with you. For betraying everything my brother stood for.”
“This is ridiculous.” Rose threw his jacket at him. “Get dressed. We’re leaving in five minutes.”
Herod caught the jacket but didn’t put it on. “Why did you do it, Rose? Why set me up to take all the blame?”
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Her expression hardened. “I didn’t—”
“Stop lying,” Herod said, surprising himself with how calm he felt. “Just tell me the truth. Once. Was I ever anything to you besides a useful tool?”
Something flickered in Rose’s eyes, hesitation, perhaps, or calculation. Then her face softened, and she sat beside him, taking his hand.
“Of course you were,” she said, her voice gentle. “You still are. I care about you, Herod. That’s why I need you to come with me now. Before it’s too late.”
The performance was flawless—the concerned lover, the devoted partner. If he hadn’t already seen behind her mask, he might have believed her.
“You’re very good,” he said quietly. “I almost believe you.”
Rose’s grip on his hand tightened painfully. “We need to go. Now.”
Herod pulled his hand away and stood. “I’m done running, Rose. I’m done being your puppet.”
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