Chapter 10
“About what father said years ago…” I paused, my voice barely rising above the music thumping through the villa walls. “I’m now agreeing to get married. Please tell him to arrange all the prep work. No need for romance–make it just formal.”
There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end before my mother’s familiar voice broke through. “Are you sure about this? What about your boyfriend, Jared? Did you finally break up with him?”
“Not yet,” I replied, firm but tired. “Don’t tell anyone about this yet.” I swallowed the ache in my throat. “I’ll send the other list for the agreement and return home as soon as possible.”
Then I hung up. The phone slid from my hand and dropped onto the soft mattress beside me. That’s when the noise outside clawed its way back into my senses.
It was Audrey’s birthday. The adopted daughter of my parents. The girl I once thought of as my little sister. The same girl I’d defended from bullies back in high school, when the four of us–me, Audrey, and my childhood friends Jared and Jackson- were supposed to be a family.”
W
Back then, I thought I was doing the right thing. That helping her would bring us closer. That we could all live in one house and laugh over dinner. I never imagined she’d twist everything.
Audrey was clever like that. She’d wormed her way into everything. She used to tag along with us–me, Jared, and Jackson didn’t mind. At first. But then it was like she started trying to replace me. Whispering things to Jared when I wasn’t looking. Making Jackson laugh in a way that used to be just mine. Still, I told myself not to overthink it.
But then I saw it. The kiss. It was supposed to be a quiet night. Just me and Jared who eventually became my boyfriend as we both confessed our love. Then, I caught him and Audrey kissing.
I let it go for a while. But it happened again. And again.
Every time I asked, Jared brushed it off. “You’re just jealous,” he’d say. “She’s like a sister.”
Jackson said the same. “Don’t ruin everything because you’re being insecure, Maureen.”
But it wasn’t insecurity. It was betrayal.
And now, here I was–alone at her birthday party. Watching the three of them giggle and clink glasses like they were the main characters in some twisted romantic comedy. Jared had just taken a shot–and with laugh, he pressed the empty glass to Audrey’s lips, his free hand grazing her waist as if they were already lovers.”
a
I couldn’t breathe. I got up and quietly slipped back into one of the guest rooms upstairs. But just as I was pulling the blanket over my head, the door creaked open.
“Maureen?” Audrey’s voice was laced with fake concern. “They’re looking for you downstairs. We’re about to do the fireworks.”
! stayed still. “I’m tired and sleepy. Just go.“”
“Come on…” She stepped closer. “It’s my birthday. Are you really going to be like this?”
I turned to face her, my voice low. “Audrey, isn’t it enough that i was forced to be here?“”
She frowned. “Do you really hate me now? Is it because you think stole them from you? That was never my intention. Please… we used to be best friends-”
“Stop.” I held up my hand. “Just go enjoy your damn party.“”
But she wouldn’t. She grabbed my wrist, tugging. “Let’s go. It’ll be fun. I’m happy when you’re with me-”
“Don’t touch me!” I tried to yank away, but her grip tightened.
In the struggle, we lost balance. We both fell backward–Audrey crashing into the small table beside the bed. The vase on top tipped and shattered, the shards slicing into our arms and shoulders.
Pain bloomed down my forearm, but before I could react, the door flew open.
My boyfriend Jared. He didn’t rush to me. No. He ran to her.
“Are you okay? Audrey–what happened?!” he asked, checking her wounds, brushing the glass from her skin.N
“She pushed me. Audrey whimpered. “I didn’t mean to–she just-“N
“What the hell, Maureen?!” Jared turned to me with a snarl. “You’re ruining everything. Again.“W
I stared at him, speechless. Blood dripping from my hand.”
“She attacked me,” I said, shaking. “She pulled me. I told her to stop-“”
But he wasn’t listening. Neither was Jackson, who had now joined them. “You’re always like this,” he snapped. “Jealous. Dramatic. Can’t stand not being the center of attention.””
Then I was told to apologize. Even with blood soaking through my sleeves, I was the one ruining her birthday.
Jackson grabbed me by the arm. “Come on. You’re coming downstairs. We’re celebrating. You’re not going to embarrass the family again.“%
12:41 PM P P
So I went. Bruised, bleeding, humiliated–I stood beneath the fireworks, watching them laugh and dance.”
Just one last time, I thought. One last time, I’ll try. I joined the circle by the bonfire, fake smile painted on like war paint.” The music swelled. People cheered. I was swaying, barely holding it together when I felt the shove. Jared pushed me? How… why?”
I stumbled straight into the bonfire’s edge. Pain exploded up my arm as flames kissed my skin.”
I screamed.\
Someone screamed with me–Audrey. She rushed to my side, panicked. “Oh, god! Maureen is hurt! We need to call an ambulance–she’s hurt-“}
But Jared stepped in, shaking his head. “It’s nothing. Just a small burn. She’ll get by. It’s her punishment for hurting you a while ago.”
And Jackson? He didn’t even look at me.
No one helped.
I dragged myself away from the fire. Then I hailed a cab.
No one offered to take me to the hospital. No one cared that I was bleeding.
But that was fine… because this is the last time they’re going to hurt me again.”
