Chapter 31

Because of this," she replied. "Because of how you're feeling right now. Because you can hate yourself for what you did to Michael."

Hate myself? I realized she was right. I did hate myself. I should never have involved Michael in this plot. I should have found a way to keep him away from all this. Instead, I'd thrust him into my scheme as just another pawn on my path to revenge.

Amber? She deserved everything I could dish out, the cunt. Dave? He deserved everything I could throw at him. Maddy? She wasn't as culpable, but there was enough blame to throw around; she knew about the two of them and let it continue. My soul cankered with the need to lash out at them.

Michael? Not so much. He'd done nothing to elicit my wrath except ... be my son. Fall asleep lying on top of me, his little head on my chest, his arms around me, hugging me even in his sleep. Play blocks with me, toss the ball with me, swing on a swing as I pushed him, smile and laugh as I tickled him. No matter that it wasn'