Chapter 50
“What wedding are you talking about?” Jared asked, his brows knitted together in confusion.
I smiled, slow and deliberate. “The wedding you’re not invited to.”
He blinked, clearly thrown off. “Whose wedding? I mean… not your wedding, right?”
D
I tilted my head, walking toward him with a soft, mocking laugh. “Of course not my wedding. I mean, you haven’t even proposed yet, Jared. You’re still my boyfriend, aren’t you?“}
I reached out and touched his arm lightly, just enough to make him uncomfortable.
He recoiled almost instantly, brushing my hand off. “Come on, Maureen. Don’t be so clingy right now. You’re not even fully healed. Just… get some rest.”
I swallowed the sting his words left behind. He didn’t even pretend to care for me now. I couldn’t believe how foolish I was to actually fall for him.”
Jackson, standing by the doorway, crossed his arms. “Why aren’t we invited though? I mean, we’ve known you for years.” “She’s a distant cousin,” I said, keeping my voice neutral. “You don’t know her. My mom just wants me to be there, represent the family or whatever.”
“What about Audrey?” Jackson asked. “Is she coming with you?“”
I shrugged. “No. She doesn’t know her. She’s just my adopted sister. There’s no need for that.“”
Jared laughed like that was good news. “Perfect. We’ll finally take that trip to Finland while you’re gone.“}
Finland? My breath caught. That was where I have been wanting to go ever since and they told me that they couldn’t, and that it was just a waste of money.”
“Yeah,” Jackson added. “Doctor said Audrey’s good to travel next week, so we’re booking the flight to go.”
“Without me?” I asked, even though I knew their answer.
Jared turned to me with a smile. I didn’t return. “Don’t worry–we’ll send you something for the wedding. A dress or whatever. Anyway, stay and rest. We’ll accompany Audrey to her next hospital visit.”
And just like that, they were gone again.
I didn’t reply. Just nodded, then closed the door gently behind them. So this is what it came to–me, the background noise to someone else’s life.
But it was fine. I didn’t want them to know I was leaving for good. I’d disappear so quietly, no one would even notice I was gone.[
And then they’d regret it.
I just needed a bit more time.”
Later that afternoon, I finally left my room and headed to the kitchen to cook something simple. I’d been craving something warm–maybe soup. Something real. Something that hadn’t been thrown together without thought.
The moment I opened the fridge and started chopping, I heard it. The soft shuffle of footsteps behind me.
I turned slowly.
Audrey stood there. She wore a pale pink cardigan and had her hair in a braid, looking every bit the helpless little sister.
“I didn’t know you were out,” she said sweetly, leaning against the counter. “I thought you were still sick. Or maybe pretending to be.”
I ignored her and kept chopping vegetables.”
“I mean,” she went on with a fake little laugh, “did you really go to the hospital? Or were you just faking it because I was in the hospital too? Trying to steal the spotlight?“”
I placed the knife down and looked her square in the face. “I’m not like you.”
Her expression hardened. “What’s that supposed to mean?“”
I didn’t even blink. “You’re the one who needs the attention. You play victim. Always.”
“Oh please,” she scoffed. “You’re just jealous. What does it feel like… knowing both Jared and Jackson love me now? Your boyfriend, your best friend—mine. And you? You’re nothing.“”
I finched–just a little. But she saw it, and that was enough for her to smirk.
“Honestly, you should just leave the apartment,” she added, “You don’t belong here anymore.“N
I turned back to the pot and stirred the soup slowly, not bothering to answer.
“Still pretending you’re above it all, huh?” she said. “Fine. I’ll help cook. The boys would love it.”
I spun to face her. “No, Audrey. I don’t need help.“”
“I’ll make something for them anyway,” she chirped, grabbing a knife from the drawer. “Let’s see what they’d like better–your
cooking or mine.“@
12:42 PM PP……….
RIMENT
cooking or mine.”
P
She moved beside me and began chopping–sloppy, fast, careless. I knew she was doing it on purpose. I stepped aside, ignoring her completely.
Then, suddenly-
“Ahhh!” Audrey yelped, dropping the knife. Blood pooled on her fingertip.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered under my breath.
But it was already too late.
“Jared! Jackson!” she screamed. “Help! Please–oh no, I cut myself–Maureen, she didn’t even help me!“}
Within seconds, thunderous footsteps echoed through the hallway.”
The brothers burst in like a rescue team.”
Jared ran straight to Audrey. “What happened? Are you okay?“!
“She didn’t even say anything,” Audrey sniffled. “She just stood there. I was bleeding and she didn’t care…”
I stayed frozen, soup ladle still in my hand.
“You didn’t help her?” Jackson snapped. “What’s wrong with you?”
Audrey clung to Jared’s arm like her life depended on it.
was trying to help,” she said, voice trembling, “but she… she pushed me away.”
“I didn’t touch you,” I said quietly, but no one listened.
