Chapter 17
After who knows how many rounds, the women were barely clinging to consciousness, sprawled on the ground and gasping for breath. Only then did Nathan finally lift his hand, signaling for it all to stop.
“Dump them at their own front doors,” he said, voice icy. “And tell their families this: if they dare so much as talk to Sarah again, or go after Julia, next time it won’t just be their lives on the line–it’ll be their whole families.”
The bodyguards moved fast, dragging the women away without another word.§
Word of Nathan’s warning spread like wildfire through the city’s elite. Every prominent family felt a chill run down their spine.
The Haskins family’s power in the Capital was absolute–untouchable. Most families dreamed of getting close to them, or at the very least, staying out of their bad books.N
But now, after all this, it was obvious: they’d all crossed a line with the Haskins.N
Teaming up against the Haskins? Not a chance. Even if they somehow pulled it off–which, honestly, no one believed–the fighting over the spoils would tear them apart before they even got started.N
So instead, everyone turned their anger on the Keller family.N
Compared to the Haskins, the Kellers were nothing.N
Back when Sarah and Nathan were friends, no one dared make a move. But now that Sarah was Nathan’s enemy? All bets were off. And Nathan’s love for Julia was something everyone could see.N
In just a few days, the whole social scene in the Capital flipped upside down.N
The Keller family was overwhelmed, barely hanging on. Sarah’s phone rang nonstop, messages and threats piling up.
And Sarah herself? She was barely holding it together.N
The other families had bullied Julia once and backed off, but Sarah’s involvement went so much deeper. If it hadn’t been for her, Julia wouldn’t have gotten hurt so badly–wouldn’t have ended up divorced and forced to leave.N
Nathan looked down at Sarah, sprawled on the ground, his eyes cold with disgust.N
“What? Still not ready to admit what you’ve done? Maybe I haven’t punished you enough.“N
He glanced at the bodyguard standing by.
The man understood right away, rolling up his sleeves and landing blow after blow on Sarah–nothing like the petty fights between women before. Each punch was brutal and precise, leaving Sarah coughing up blood, her eyes filling with terror and despair.
“Nathan, please… Sarah sobbed, tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry! I swear I’ll never do anything to Julia again. Please, just let me go…”
Nathan frowned, his long fingers gripping Sarah’s chin and forcing her to look at him.N
ally? Because your promises have never meant much.”
member all those times you said ‘just help me this once, and I’ll pay you back‘? But you never let go. Not once.”
at’s face went pale. She pulled at her shirt, showing off the faded scars on her skin, her voice shaking.
Nathan, look at these scars. If I hadn’t saved you back then, I wouldn’t have these. You only helped me a few times–how could that ever de enough to make it even?“}
“I’ve loved you for years. We’re perfect for each other. Why can’t you love me? Why do you only see Julia?”
Her voice broke, grief and anger pouring out with every word.
Nathan’s voice was flat, emotionless. “I never loved you. Not once. If it weren’t for that one favor, we’d barely even know each other.” Sarah let out a broken, bitter laugh, the sound echoing off the walls.
“Barely know each other? I’ve been by your side for over twenty years. How many chances does someone get at twenty years? I loved you, and you never saw me. Why? Am I not pretty enough? I’m not worse than Julia. Why is it always her? What does she have that I don’t?”
Her cries were raw and desperate, tears streaming down her cheeks.N
Nathan’s eyes were steady, his voice unwavering. “Whether you’re good or not has nothing to do with me. All I want is Julia.”
