"Bill and I grew up together. He's family to me. He's like my brother!"
"He felt sorry for me and wanted to give me a professional spa massage so I could relax for once!"
"How does that become something filthy in your eyes?"
Every word rang with righteous conviction.
If it weren't for the trail of intimate red marks covering her skin, I might have almost believed her.
"Julian... you really have the wrong idea. I—I just thought Louise has been working so hard lately, and I wanted to help her unwind..."
Bill peeked out from behind Louise, half his face visible, his voice small and trembling.
"There's nothing between us. I swear. I would never have any inappropriate thoughts about her."
He spoke carefully, watching me the whole time—as if I were some kind of monster that might devour him alive.
A cold laugh escaped my throat.
"A misunderstanding? No inappropriate thoughts?"
"Do you even believe the words coming out of your own mouth?"
I stared at him with open contempt.
No inappropriate thoughts—and yet he'd sent me photos of them in bed together just to provoke me?
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. Please, Julian, don't fight with Louise because of me."