Chapter 18o
Jared and Jackson stood at the gates of the Reid estate, their suits wrinkled from travel, expressions pulled tight with urgency and nerves. They had come with apology, desperation–and the misguided hope that maybe, just maybe, they could fix things.
But the guards refused to let them in.
“We’re here to see Maureen,” Jared said, voice raised. “You know how I am! We used to play together! I am her boyfriend, and also best friend!”
“She’s not available,” the guard responded flatly.”
“We’re her friends–“\
“Her ex–boyfriend and his brother,” the other guard corrected, unimpressed.
“We’re not leaving until we talk to her,” Jackson growled. “Show us to her!”
And they didn’t. Minutes passed. Then twenty.”
A
4
Eventually, raised voices caught the attention of someone inside. Maureen’s parents stepped out. Her father’s face was cold, unreadable. Her mother looked tired–but composed.
Jared rushed forward first. “Please, Mr. Reid–Ma’am–we just want to talk to her.“[
“No,” her mother said flatly.
We just want to apologize-”
“Now?” her father cut in sharply. “You now want to apologize, after years of watching her crumble? You want to make a grand gesture when it costs you something?“”
Jackson looked down.
Audrey, who had followed in behind, tried to speak. “I didn’t mean to-”
Smack. The sound cracked through the air like a thunderclap. Maureen’s mother had slapped her across the cheek. Hard. Audrey stumbled back, gasping, one hand flying to her face.
“You lived off her kindness and spat in her face,” the older woman hissed. “And now you dare show up here?”
“I–I was just “”
“You were just jealous,” her father snapped. “A child who saw thing good and decided to ruin it.”
“I loved them,” Audrey cried, pointing to the brothers. “I thought they loved me back!”
“You stole from her. Lied. Manipulated. All while pretending to be family.”
Tears streamed down Audrey’s cheeks. “I didn’t mean–Maureen was always better. She always had everything. I just wanted to feel… chosen.“}
The words hung there.
And yet, they meant nothing.”
Jared looked defeated. “Please. Let us just talk to her.”
“She’s not here,” Maureen’s father said. “She has no reason to waste time on people who made her feel worthless.”
“We regret it,” Jackson said hoarsely. “We were wrong. We were blind.“}
The older couple exchanged glances. And then–without a word–they turned around.
Guards moved forward, urging them to leave.
Audrey began crying harder, falling to her knees in the gravel. “I didn’t deserve this! I didn’t deserve any of it!“}
Jackson glanced down at her–then turned away.
Jared didn’t look at her at all.
“Wait!” Audrey screamed as they began walking toward the car. “Please! Don’t leave me!“\
They didn’t answer.
And they didn’t come back. Audrey sat on the road for what felt like hours. Her body ached–her ankle was bruised from the stumble, her palms scraped Her phone battery blinked low, her dress dirty from the ground.”
She had no money. Every trip, every dinner, every luxury she had experienced came from Jared or Jackson.
She had never bothered to save. Why would she? She thought it would last forever.\
She was wrong. She dragged herself up, wobbling on weak legs, and tried to find the nearest road to flag help.
A car swerved too late.[
Crash. Her body flew, then thudded hard against the pavement.
Blackness swallowed everything.”
She woke to the sterile scent of bleach and the soft beep of monitors. The ceiling was white. The lights above buzzed faintly.
22
3462
She blinked, barely able to move her arms.
Pain roared up her spine.
Her lip trembled.
The nurse came in moments later.
“You’re awake,” she said softly. “You were hit by a car last night. You’re stable, but you’ll be here for a while.”
Audrey swallowed, her voice a scratch. “Has anyone… called? Anyone visited?“}
The nurse checked the chart. “No. You haven’t had any calls or visitors.“}
Her chest caved in.\
She whispered, “Can I call someone?“\
“Of course.“\
Her fingers trembled as she dialed Jackson’s number.
No answer.
Then Jared’s.
Voicemail.
She left messages. Long, tearful ones. Begging. Pleading. Apologizing. Still nothing.
For the first time in her life, she realized what Maureen had felt all along.
Unseen. Unheard. Alone.
And this time, no one was coming to save her.
Meanwhile, Jared and Jackson sat at a bar in the city, four drinks in, eyes hazy, hearts heavier than the liquor could dull.
They weren’t speaking. Just drinking. Until a conversation nearby caught Jared’s attention.
“Did you see the announcement? Roscoe Smith’s finally showing his face.“[
“No way,” another man said. “The Roscoe Smith? The hidden heir?“}
“Yeah. He’s marrying some heiress. Can’t believe the world’s finally seeing who he is. I heard it was actually marrying Maureen.“[
Jared stood abruptly. “Excuse me.“<
The men turned.
“What did you just say? Maureen who?“>
The man blinked. “Roscoe Smith. The heir to Smith Industries. He’s marrying Maureen Reid. It’s all over the business
networks.”
Jackson stood beside him, stiff. “Say that name again.”
“Roscoe Smith.“[
Jared’s mind was reeling.
That was the man? The one in the wedding photos? The one who stayed at Maureen’s side?”
He had heard the name before–whispers of him, the ghost of the elite world. The untouchable bachelor, No one had ever seen him… until now.
Until her.
Jared’s grip tightened around the edge of the bar.”
“Where is he?” he asked, voice raw. “Where can I find that man?“}
