Chapter 6
I gave a wry smile. “Daniel, are you barking again?“%
“Don’t think I’m asking for your opinion, he shot back.
There was a cold, mocking glint in Daniel’s eyes. “If you insist on going, then whatever happens is on you.”
I stopped in my tracks and stared at his icy gaze.
“What’s wrong, big brother? After all those years your precious little darling spent at the piano, you’re still not confident she can beat me onstage?”
‘Pathetic.
Just a few days before the school’s anniversary showcase, Trevor found me.
“Corinna.”
“What happened last time was my fault. But you blocked me everywhere–I couldn’t text, couldn’t call, and you refused to see me.”
“I don’t even know what’s going on anymore, Corinna. Is this just a misunderstanding, or… have you fallen for someone else?”
His voice trembled with real pain as he spoke those last few words. “But you promised me, remember? You said you’d always love me most.” A wave of anger and bitter hurt surged up inside me.
Once, I’d truly loved him for so many years.
He said he didn’t like me doing kissing scenes, so I actually turned down offers from some of the best directors in the industry.
не
He said Julie had a rough childhood, that she’d grown up bullied in foster care, so I shouldn’t hold her little “mistakes” against her. Sol forgave her, again and again..
All I ever wanted was to trade my sincerity for theirs.
But all I ever got was ten years of their slander and hatred.S
In that moment, I couldn’t even pretend anymore.
I grabbed Trevor by the collar and slammed him back against the tree behind him.
He gasped in pain, didn’t even manage a word before my palm cracked across his face.
I didn’t hold back. His pale skin flared red and swollen instantly.
I leaned in close, my words cold and sharp. “I already know you and Julie have known each other for years.”
“If you like her so much, why are you here playing the devoted lover to me?”
Trying to string me along, use me, while you run off to play loyal puppy for your precious little angel?”
“You really are your mother’s son–just as shameless as she is.”
The storm brewing in his eyes was sudden and violent, but he didn’t say another word.
I let out a cold laugh, shoved him away, and walked off without looking back.
That night, I had a dream.
A rare one–about what happened after I died, in another lifetime.
After the cake knife plunged into Julie’s chest, pain exploded through me and everything went black.
She was rushed to the hospital.
Outside the ER, Trevor grabbed Daniel, demanding, “You promised me! You said you’d take care of everything–you said you’d protect her-”
Daniel pushed his hand away, voice as cold as ice. “I agreed to share her with you. Without my help, you’re just the bastard son–you’d never have been able to control the Gardner family. Don’t push your luck.”
Trevor staggered back, trying to protest. “You helped me? No, it was-”
He cut himself off, words dying in his throat.
Daniel sneered, “That’s right My sister helped you. But she’s dead now. And the person who threw acid in her face–you arranged that yourself, remember?” Trevor stood there in silence.
The red light above the emergency room flashed.
A moment later, Julie was wheeled out. The doctor said, “She’s still not out of danger…”
Trevor’s eyes flickered over her bloodless face, his voice flat as he finally spoke. “I haven’t forgotten.“N
“And I don’t regret it.”
I jolted awake, stumbling into the bathroom, clutching the toilet as dry heaves wracked my body.
When I finally managed to stand, I braced myself on the sink and stared at my reflection.
Bloodshot eyes, burning with hatred.
“No regrets…” I whispered, voice hoarse. “That’s fine. In this life, you’ll regret everything. You’ll regret ever being born Just wait and see.”
On the day of the anniversary showcase, I ran into Julie by the man–made lake on campus.
