“That’s where you’re wrong.” She steps toward me, but I don’t back up. I don’t bow down, regardless of who this chick thinks she is. “You’ve always been the enemy. The pawn. The obstacle. But it didn’t matter because I was willing to do what he asked, knowing when the time was right, he’d see I was the one he is meant to be with. Except now you think you can walk in and mess it all up just because you’re in love? Things aren’t ready yet. It’s too soon.”
I can barely keep up with the word vomit she’s spewing at me. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re engaged to him, Echo. You’re supposed to play house and be happy right now while the church opens and the masses follow. You’re the preacher’s daughter after all.” She rolls her eyes.
“They’ll understand.”
“They won’t.” Angelina clenches her jaw. “Not yet. Not until your father steps aside and puts Rhett in his rightful place.”
“That’s what this is about?”
“Don’t get me wrong, Pastor Ryan is a blessing, but Rhett is the only one who can take Eternal Light to the next level. And I’ll do whatever it takes to lift him up to where he belongs.”
Once more, my spine tingles with her words. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’ve let you have him, Echo. For now, when it matters. Because I understand sacrificing for the ones you love. And you by his side gets him where he needs to be.” She narrows her eyes. “But I didn’t go through all this just so you can be the one to leave him like you don’t even care. You don’t leave him. He’ll leaveyouonce he finally sees what’s right in front of him.”
“You?”
“Yes me.” She’s nearly hysterical. Something between a laugh and a cry bursts out as she starts to pace.
“Angelina, if you love him, then tell him.” I try to remain calm because if my past has taught me anything, that’s the only way to survive unhinged people. “He doesn’t care about me like that. This can all be amicable.”
She bursts out into a laugh I can’t read. It’s dark. Her eyes move to the distance. She’s drifting away.
“Like you know him.”
I’m not sure how to argue with that. I know Rhett as a friend, but clearly she’s the one with a deeper connection, even if it is a little terrifying.
“I’ve played along.” Tears brim in her eyes. “I ignored the fact that he was determined to end up with you, no matter how deep our connection is. I waited for him to realize I was the one who would treat him right. I understood God’s plan for us. That sometimes you have to be patient to reap the rewards. As long as the two of you appeared happy in public, that’s all that mattered. He had his pure, preacher’s daughter fiancée, and everyone would love him for it.”
I take a cautious step forward, knowing at any moment her calmness could once more slip. “You care about him a lot.”
Her fingers clench into fists, and she tips her head back, and a dark smile crosses her lips. “A lot?”
Angelina blinks back at me, and there are tears in her eyes now. A roller coaster playing out with every emotion that rocks through her. And whatever hides on the other side of her statement is darker than the wide pupils staring back at me.
“That’s how little you understand love. Ilovehim. I’d do anything. It’s not like I wanted him to get hurt, but I understood what needed to happen.”
“Hurt?” My stomach sinks at her word choice.
Angelina wipes a tear that trickles down her cheek. “Rhett doesn’t understand how much I love him. I’m not sure he can. It wasn’t easy watching him get shot, but it was for the best. The way they love him more now.”
Her face brightens with sick satisfaction.
“I thought that was the protesters.” I can’t stop shaking my head, barely able to believe it.
She offers a broken smile. “It looked good, didn’t it? The threats. The stage.The show. Give people easy answers, and they’ll always look in the wrong direction. It's actually funny to think about it because my drama teacher said I’d never amount to anything.”
She laughs, once more pacing.
“You shot him?”
“Not me.” She stops, wide eyes, like my question is the most ridiculous part of this unhinged conversation. “I wouldneverhurt him. I love him. I only arranged it, and don’t give me that look, it’s your fault.”
I take a step back. “I’d never hurt Rhett. How is this my fault?”
At least, not like that. I’m not sure how he’s going to take the inevitable end of our engagement.
