Ay, we're halfway done. This is a continuation of chapter 13, Reason.
"You're lying."
Ben leaned back onto his cot and crossed his arms over his chest. "What did I say?" he scoffed. "I knew you wouldn't believe me."
"I'm going to ask one last time, Ben." Rey glared at him. "Why are you here. Tell me the truth."
"I just did." He smirked at her, and Rey's chest ached at the lopsided grin that resembled his father's so much.
"Ben, I'm serious."
"And you think I'm not?" Ben questioned as he pushed himself up to his feet. Even caged behind bars, stripped away from the Force and dressed down into simple white robes, Ben still manages to keep his intimidating stature. "Then please. Enlighten me with all the reasons why you believe me to be lying to you, Rey." The way he whispers her name sends shivers down her spine.
Rey doesn't answer, and that's all he needs. "You can't, can you?" He takes a step forward. "Nothing your little band of murderers, traitors, and thieves say can truly make you believe that I am here for any other reason." He pauses, eyes roaming over her. "You can't even believe yourself." Ben's gaze meets hers, unwavering. "Why is that?"
She swallows thickly and clenches her hands into fists. "I don't know."
"You're lying," he murmurs, "and you know it. Now it's your turn to tell me why."
"...You know why."
That damn smirk was back. "I do."