loving you was a mistake

Angel clutched her phone, her heart pounding as Aurora's voice came through in broken sobs. The words were sharp, each one slicing through the air like a blade: "He had a hand in Jake's death, Angel. My husband… Mark. He lied to me all this time." Angel's world seemed to still. Her mind struggled to catch up with what she'd just heard. Mark? The same Mark who stood beside Aurora like a shield? The man who gave up everything to save her from leukemia? No. It couldn't be. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice barely audible. "I saw it, Angel. A video. I saw it with my own eyes." Aurora's voice cracked. "I'm going home. I left him."

Shaking, Angel ended the call and shot up from the couch. Her breath quickened with panic and betrayal. Maxwell. He needed to know. She rushed down the hallway, still in her robe, nearly colliding with a housekeeper as she stormed into her husband's study. "Maxwell!" she called. "I need to tell you something….something horrible!" He looked up from his desk, his expression unreadable. "It's about Mark. He—he had something to do with Jake's death!"

Silence fell between them. Maxwell didn't move.Angel blinked. "Max, did you hear me?! Max—"

"I know." His voice was low. Heavy.

She stared at him, mouth agape. "What do you mean you know?" Maxwell stood slowly, walking toward her. "He told me… a two years ago. He came here, you were out with Aurora. He broke down and confessed everything." Angel stepped back, eyes wide. "And you didn't tell me? You kept something this big from me?" she cried. "Angel—" he began. But she raised her hand, silencing him. "You knew my best friend husband was involved in Jake's death and you didn't tell me?!"

"I didn't want to hurt you. Or Aurora. I needed time to understand it all." Time??? It's been two fucking years!!!!! Angel's tears spilled freely now. "You let her walk back into that house. You let her love a man who helped destroy her past!" Maxwell reached for her, but she pulled away, trembling. "What else are you hiding?"

He sighed and sat back down. "It wasn't just Mark. He wasn't the one who killed Jake."

Angel blinked. "Then who did?"

"Charles." His voice was ice. "After Mark shot Jake in a fit of rage,Charles injected poison into Jake's bloodstream. That's what killed him." Angel covered her mouth in horror.

"Mark was consumed with guilt," Maxwell continued. "But he thought the gunshot was what ended Jake's life. It wasn't until that Mr William Aurora's father found out what Charles had done. He told Mark." Angel slumped into a chair. "So Charles is the real murderer…"

"Yes. But Mark still had a part in it. He partnered with Charles to confront Jake. Things got out of hand." Angel was quiet for a long time. "All this time… all this pretending. How could you let me sit and laugh with him like nothing happened?" Her voice cracked. "Aurora's broken. She called me crying leaving him for good."

Maxwell nodded solemnly. "I expected this would happen eventually. The truth always finds a way to the surface."Does Mr. William know?"

"He knows everything now. He's taken Aurora back. "I wouldn't be surprised if he ruins Mark's empire next." Angel stood slowly. "He deserves it." She glanced back at Maxwell. "And so do you for keeping this from me."

Maxwell's face twisted in pain as she left the room, slamming the door behind her.