Chapter 3
At one in the morning, my phone buzzed–Harrison was calling
1 was half–asleep and wanted to hang up. But then I snapped awake and answered, afraid he might call my mom.
Harrison sounded irritated. “What’s taking so long? Jimmy’s at the police station. You need to get over here.”
ing. Mr. Chappell, maybe you should remember your place and stop harassing me,” I shot back.
*Im not going.
“Sienna, your son’s about to get detained, and it’ll be on his record. Only you can save him, he shouted.
Though I couldn’t figure out why he’d say that, I wasn’t about to lose more sleep arguing with him. “Honestly, I kind of hope he spends some time there learning a lesson,” I replied.
Harrison finally lost it, screaming, “If Jimmy ends up in there, you can forget about the divorce. Don’t even dream of getting a dime from me!”
I gripped my phone so tight my knuckles turned white, a sharp pain twisting in my chest, Harrison was still the same old macho jerk–if I didn’t do what he wanted, he’d hurt me some other way
My nose burned, tears spilling down my cheeks. I yelled at the top of my lungs, “Stop threatening me. If you don’t show up at the courthouse on divorce day, then get ready to be sued”
phone rang again. This time it was the police. “This concerns you. We need you to come down here,” the
Right after I hung up, officer said
my p
Early the next morning, I drove to the police station and saw the disheveled Harrison and Jimmy.
“You’re here. I knew you wouldn’t leave Jimmy hanging,” Harrison said.
I dodged his attempt to hug me
While we waited for the plaintiff to arrive, the police explained the situation to me.
Furious that I’d missed his graduation party, Jimmy started shouting to everyone about the time I’d peed in the car–and even pulled out the video to prove it.
All those kids there were either rich or had powerful families. Someone couldn’t stand it and started arguing with him, and things escalated until Jimmy smashed a wine bottle over the other kid’s head,
The other kid was determined to see Jimmy detained.
I stared hard at Jimmy, his head hanging low. His face still had a hint of boyish innocence, yet he’d kept showing that humiliating video of me to everyone.
So that was what he meant last night when he said he’d make me regret it!
I took a deep breath. “Officer, I’m not here to beg for Jimmy. Actually, I want to ask–does his showing my video count as invading my privacy? Isn’t that humiliating me?”
Harrison frowned, digging his fingers into my arm. “Sienna, how can you say that? He’s your son. Are you going to destroy his future?” Jimmy’s eyes went wide, his lips trembling.
I wrenched my arm free and stood up. “Officer, this man just tried to use violence against me. I’m going to leave now. We can handle the rest over the phone. As for Jimmy, let the law decide his sentence.”
Jimmy cried out, “Mom, don’t go!
The sorry. Help me, please”
When I saw the plaintiff, I finally understood why Harrison had called me.
It was Jennifer, and the injured boy was her son.
A wave of guilt washed over me. “I’m so sorry. If it weren’t for…
1/2
12-11 AM
Chapter 3
Jennifer hugged me and patted my back. “It’s fine. Look.”
She motioned for me to look at her son, who was lying in the hospital bed with his head all bandaged up. He was watching a movie and looked pretty happy.
Thanks. You’re always so thoughtful,” I said.
Jennifer smiled. “It’s been forever, Sena. Once I wrap things up here, let’s go grab something to cat.
She turned to the officers, her voice firm. “I’m not here for the money. I want to see Jimmy spend a few days in detention.”
While I waited for Jennifer, Harrison came over, finally starting to panic.
“Go talk to Jennifer,” he pleaded. “If Jimmy ends up with a record, how am I supposed to survive in our circle?”
“What does that have to do with me?” I shot back.
Harrison gritted his teeth. “T’ll do anything you want, as long as you talk to Jennifer. It’s just a few words–why won’t you help? Jimmy’s your son. You spent all these years raising him. Why would you let this mess up his life!”
I looked at his desperate face and smiled, Tm not the one who messed up his life. He did that himself.”
Before Harrison could say anything else, Miranda rushed over, looking worried.
Miranda was highly educated and talented enough to be a homeroom teacher at a prestigious school. I’d admired her, and when I heard someone in her family needed surgery, I’d even covered the medical bills for her.
When she wanted a part–time gig during the holidays, I hooked her up with a job at Harrison’s company.
I did everything I could for her, and she seemed close to me. Never thought she’d end up stabbing me in the back.
But that didn’t matter anymore
Thoped those two scumbags would stick together forever.
I was about to walk away when Miranda called out, “Sienna, can we talk for a second?”
She gave Harrison a reassuring look, and he stepped aside.
“There’s nothing between me and Harrison. Please don’t get us wi
wrong” Miranda said.
Her voice was
was as su
sugary as ever. I used to find it cute, but now it made
my skin crawl.
I gave her a once–over and said flatly. “No need to explain. Honestly, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have g
“Congratulations. You’ve finally made it into the Chappell family.”
Miranda replied with a smug smile, Thanks for making it possible.”
After Jennifer came out, we walked to the car, laughing and chatting.
Harrison’s voice called out behind us, full of spite. “Don’t you dare forget divorce day!”
As if I could ever forget.
gotten out of this mess so
E
