Chapter 40
My entire body still ached. So instead of leaving as planned, I stayed in my room, letting the dull pain anchor me to the bed. I didn’t cry. There were no tears left.
When I opened my eyes again, sunlight streamed through the curtains, warm against my skin. And right there, at the foot of my bed, stood Jared and Jackson.
“Good morning,” Jared said with a sheepish smile, holding a tray. “We brought you breakfast.“}
Jackson placed the tray gently on my lap. Toast, scrambled eggs, some fruit, and a glass of orange juice. Bland and almost cold.
“Thought you could use something to start the day,” Jackson added, sitting at the edge of the bed.
I looked at them. They looked casual. Relaxed. Almost happy. Like the last few days hadn’t happened.
“Look,” Jared said, scratching the back of his neck. “We’re sorry. Audrey told us she saw an Instagram story of you at a party that night… and she was just hurt, you know? She got robbed and stabbed while thinking you were out dancing. She… she thought you were ignoring her on purpose.”
Jackson chimed in. “She really believed it. So… maybe you should apologize to her. Just to clear things up.”
I stared at them in disbelief, then scoffed.
“Maybe you should apologize to me.“}
That made them blink.
Jared frowned. “Why would we? It’s not like we did anything wrong. You didn’t tell us what happened. If you had, we could’ve been there for you.“”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Do I need to beg to be cared about now? I was gone for days. You didn’t even check.“\
“Don’t say that,” Jackson said firmly. “Audrey got stabbed. She needs us.”
“And I didn’t?” My voice sharpened. “So if I’m not bleeding in front of you, I don’t deserve a second thought?“”
Before either of them could respond, the door creaked open and in she came.
Audrey. She wore a soft, oversized sweater and limped slightly. Her face was pale, lips trembling as tears welled up in her eyes.[
“Are you picking a fight with me now, Maureen?” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I’m sorry. Okay? I didn’t mean to get hurt. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.“”
I watched her carefully. Her trembling, her pout, the subtle gaslighting laced in every word. Like she was the one being attacked.[
Again. The tears slipped down her cheeks.\
“I just… I don’t want us to be enemies. We were sisters once… I wish we could go back.“}
And just like that, the boys snapped.
“Stop making her cry, Maureen, Jared snapped.
“Come on, Audrey,” Jackson said softly. “You shouldn’t be walking too much. Let’s get you back to bed.”
They turned to her with such care, such concern–it stung.”
“I’ll feed you, Jared said as he took her hand. “You need to eat.“\
“Yeah,” Jackson added. “You need your strength. We’ll get your favorite seafood in the other room.”
Then they turned back to me.”
“You eat what we made, Maureen, Jared said. “You’ve been discharged. Stop being so picky.”
And with that, they led Audrey out, leaving me alone again.
I looked down at the plate in front of me. The eggs were rubbery. The toast, dry. The fruit was unripe.§
Across the hall, I could hear them laughing.
Audrey’s voice rang out clear: “Mmm, I love crab legs! You remembered I hate toast, right? Seafood’s my favorite!”
Of course it was. They gave me scraps and fed her a feast.
I didn’t cry. Not this time. I was just done.”
My phone buzzed.
It was a message from Mom: Venue options are in. Also attached are the dresses. Let me know what you like, darling.” I tapped the call icon.
“Mom,” I said, my voice steady.M
“Maureen! Did you get the pictures? What do you think of the flower arrangements?” she asked excitedly
12:42 PM P
dresses?”
“I like everything. It was actually hard to choose,” I replied. “I’ll finalize it today. But I think I like the vintage one.“\
“Great! We’ll prepare it for you. How long until you come back? Your groom’s waiting, you know. He
very eager.”
D
“Just a few more days. Something happened, but I’ll be there. I’m looking forward to wearing those dresses… to the wedding.“/ Mom let out a soft laugh. “That’s my girl. We’ll wait for you.”
I hung up. I stared at the tray, untouched. Then I felt it–the silence shift.
I looked up. Jared and Jackson stood in the doorway. I hadn’t even heard them come back.
Their eyes locked on me, their faces unreadable.\
Jackson’s voice came first. “Dress to the wedding?“\
Then Jared stepped forward, his brows pulling into a frown. “Wedding? What wedding?“”
12:42 PM
