ב
Hours later, the guards dragged me back to my room, my legs too weak to carry me.
That night, I heard the roar of an engine outside–someone leaving the estate in a sports car.
Not long after, the door to my room creaked open.
I couldn’t see clearly, but I could smell the faint, familiar perfume.
Mia.
“Don’t bother pretending to be asleep,” she said, her voice dripping with amusement. “I know you’re awake.”
I forced my swollen eyes open, staring at her as she leaned over me, her face lit with mockery and triumph.
“Why?” I croaked. “Why are you doing this to me?”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, Lila. Have you forgotten already? I told you–I want everything you have.”
She paused, then added with a smirk, “Although, I must admit, it’s been a bit disappointing. Turns out you’re nothing but a pretty package hiding a pile of garbage. No one truly loves you, do they? Not your parents, not Cole. You’re pathetic.”
Her words cut deep, but I stayed silent.
“Now me?” she continued, her voice smug. “Everyone loves me. Your father, Cole–they’d do anything for me. Doesn’t that sting, Lila? Knowing you’ve already lost?”
As if to drive the knife deeper, my father appeared in the doorway.
He wrapped an arm around Mia’s waist, pulling her close, and the two of them walked away together, leaving me alone with my rage.
I grabbed my phone with shaking hands and sent a single text to Cole.
Then I waited.
Minutes later, the sounds of shouting and fighting filled the house.
While chaos reigned outside, I crawled out of bed, ignoring the blood dripping from my knees, and fled into the night.
The road down the hill was pitch black, but for the first time in days, I felt something close to hope.
When I finally collapsed, my clothes soaked in blood, headlights appeared in the distance.
A car door slammed, and someone ran toward me.
Before I could see who it was, I fell into their arms and lost consciousness.
