Chapte. 6
Rosalyn’s POV
The night air wrapped around me as I stepped out of the house, my breath catching in my throat. I clenched my fists, willing myself to hold it together. The cool wind stung my cheeks, but it did little to ease the storm
inside me. Niklaus‘ behavior toward Melanie
replayed in my mind, each moment cutting deeper than the last. Why had I even come to this party? I should have known better.
I leaned against the iron gate, struggling to make sense of it all. We used to be so good together, Niklaus and I–a couple others envied, or so I thought. But ever since
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Chapter 6
Melanie re–entered his life, it felt like she’d become his everything. Tonight only confirmed it. My throat tightened as the
memories clawed at me.
stared at the ground, hoping, wishing, that he’d come after me. Surely he’d realize I’d blocked his number, wouldn’t he? I imagined him running out, calling my name, begging me to stay. But as the minutes dragged on, the silence grew louder. I glanced back at the house one last time, the lights casting a glow over the lawn. Nothing. No one. My chest ached, and I sniffed, willing the tears to stay put as I turned to leave.
“Rosalyn,” a voice called out behind me. I
froze.
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I turned my head slowly, half–hoping, half- dreadingo it was. Melanie. Of course. She approached with that ever–innocent face, her expression soft and harmless.
“Rosalyn, wait,” she said, her voice almost pleading. “Please don‘ t be upset with Niklaus because he cares about me. I guess he cares about you too. He really does.
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I blinked, stunned by her audacity. “I’m not upset,” I lied, turning to leave.
She stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
“You shouldn’t have left like that. I’ve
been doing my best not to come between you two.”
“But you already have,” I said flatly, my voice shaking with barely controlled anger.
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“Drop the facade, Melanie. You do
everythir~ on purpose to get him.”
Her eyes
shimmered with a dark intent, just for a moment, before she masked it with that same sweet look that disgusted me. “What are you talking about?” she asked innocently.
“Is it because Niklaus has lost interest in you?”
I froze, the words striking me like a slap.
“What?”
“Yes,” she said, her tone cruel under the guise of concern. “He doesn’t like you anymore. When he’s with me, I even try to send him back to you, but he just cares too much for me.”
Her words twisted in my gut, each one cutting
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deeper. I nodded, refusing to give her the satisfactio. f seeing my pain. “Fine.”
I turned to leave again, but she grabbed my arm, her expression changing to one of pleading. Her voice rose as if she wanted everyone in the vicinity to hear. “Rosalyn, please don‘ t leave like this. I’m begging you.”
“Let go of me, Melanie,” I said, trying to stay calm.
Before I could free myself, I noticed Mrs. McDonald and Cherry approaching from a distance. Melanie must have seen them too, because the moment I tugged my arm free, she let go and fell dramatically to the ground.
I stared at her in shock as she clutched her
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ankle and whimpered. Cherry and Mrs.
McDonald shed over, their cries echoing in
the night.
Niklaus appeared next, his gaze darting between Melanie and me.
“Why did you push me, Rosalyn?” Melanie cried, her voice trembling as she clung to Niklaus, tears streaming down her face. “Do you hate me that much?”
“What?” I gasped. “I didn’t push you! I was defending myself!”
Cherry’s eyes narrowed at me. “We saw you, Rosalyn. Don’t lie.”
I turned to Mrs. McDonald for support, but she nodded in agreement. “It’s true,” she said.
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Niklaus knelt beside Melanie, his face etched
“Why did you do that,
with conce
Rosalyn?” he asked softly. His tone wasn’t harsh, but the disappointment in his eyes cut deeper than words.
“I didn’t do anything,” I said firmly, my voice shaking.
“I only came to ask her not to leave like that,” Melanie said, sniffling into Niklaus‘ shoulder. “And she pushed me when I tried to stop her.”
Cherry scoffed. “I can’t believe you‘ d do this, Rosalyn. Melanie ran out after you, concerned about how Niklaus was feeling, and you treated her like this?”
“I didn’t…” My voice faltered as Melanie
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whimpered again, clutching her ankle
dramatica”
“Ow, my ankle hurts so badly. I think I’ve sprained it,” she cried.
“Take her inside, Niklaus,” Cherry urged.
“I’ll call a doctor,” Mrs. McDonald added.
Niklaus lifted Melanie into his arms as if she
weighed nothing, his jaw set. As he walked past me, he gave me a pointed look–one that spoke volumes.
“You shouldn’t have done this, Rosalyn,” Mrs. McDonald hissed as she followed them
inside. Cherry shot me one last glare before disappearing through the door.
I stood there, numb. They believed her so
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easily. Even Niklaus. Fine.
When I got nume, I collapsed onto the couch, the tears I’d been holding back finally spilling over. I cried myself to sleep, the weight of everything crushing me. Niklaus, Melanie, their lies–it was all too much.
The next morning, I managed to pull myself together enough to eat breakfast when a knock came at the door. I sighed, already dreading Abby’s reaction.
“Goodness, Abby, can’t you let me be?” I thought as I opened the door. “Abby, I said I’m fine-” My words died in my throat. It wasn’t Abby.
It was Niklaus. How had he managed to find me despite how discreet have been lately?
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He stood there, his expression unreadable.
“Good morng, Rosalyn,” he said.
I tried to slam the door in his face, but he
wedged his foot in, stopping it just before it closed.
“Leave, Niklaus,” I snapped.
“I’m not leaving,” he said firmly, stepping into the house.
