Chapter 33
Sapphire
I shook my head, trudging behind Lesh as she rambled on about a designer dress she’d been looking for. She was going on and on about some party she was planning to attend, the kind where everyone was eager to be seen, dressed to the nine, rubbing shoulders with the upper echelon of Mocirly
But I couldn’t care less. I wasn’t my scene, and I had no intention of tagging along. Going for parties meant that I was enjoying my stay here and I didn’t want that impression at all.
“So, you’re really not coming!” Leah finally turned around to face me, her brows knitting together in disappointment.
I shook my head offering a half–heamed smile. I’m not interested, Leah. You know I’m not into these things.”
She sighed dramatically but didn’t press any further. Leah knew me well enough to understand that once I made up my mind, there was no changing it. She was still is the process of knowing me but she knows that I always mean what Esay
We walked in silence for a bit until we reached the boutique she’d been talking about. It was one of those places that screamed exclusivity, where the prices weren’t displayed because if you had to ask, you couldn’t afford it.
She was immediately greeted by a shop assistant who seemed all too eager to cater to her every whim. They disappeared into the dressing room arra, and I lingered for a moment, feeling out of place among the rows of luxurious fabrics and glittering accessories.
“I’ll be right back.” | said to no one in particular. Leah was too busy admiring herself in the mirror to notice.
I made my way to the restroom, which was just as opulent as the rest of the boutique. The marble counters gleamed under the soft lighting, and the air smelled faintly of lavender. I quickly did my business, but as I washed my hands, the door creaked open, and I felt a prickle of unease craned up my spine.
Millicent
She entered with her usual entourage, two girls plus Olivia
lips curling into a ser I held my ground, known better left her side. The moment her eyes landed on me, she narrowed them, her
to show fear in front of her. Millicent thrived on it.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the little murder’s daughter,” she purred, her voice dripping with malice as she approached me. Her cronies snickered, Banking her like loyal hounds.
“You need to come up with a better inish than this, it is getting boring
“Of course, I will be sure to think about it.”
I waited, my heart pounding in my chest, a Millicent slowly circled me, her gaze scrutinizing every inch of my appearance. I didn’t know what she wanted, but Thad a feeling it wasn’t good.
She stopped abruptly just a breath away, and her nose twitched as if she were catching a scent. Her eyes widened in surprise before narrowing again. this time with a mix of disgust and something else–recognition
“Is that_Aragon?” she asked, her voice laced with incredulity.
I fch the color drain from my face. The name hit me like a punch to the gut. How did she know? How could she possibly know!
Did anybody find out that he kissed me?
Her cronies gasped in exaggerated shock, and one of them spat out, “So it’s true then. You’re nothing but a filthy whore, flaunting your true colors
now.
“No,” I stammered, trying to find the right words. “It’s not what you think-
But before I could finish, Millicent’s hand shot out, and she slapped me across the face with a force the sent me reeling. The sting was immediate, and tears sprang to my eyes, but I blinked them back, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry.
“That’s for thinking you could step into our world,” Millicent hissed. “You’re trash, and you’ll always be trash.”
I barely had time to recover before her cronies descended on ine. They grabbed me by the arms, and then the punches and kicks started to rain down. I tried to shield myself, but it was no use. The pain was overwhelming, each blow landing harder than the last, until I was crumpled on the cold, marble floor, barely able to move,
“Stay down where you belong.” Millicem spat, her voice echoing in the empty restroom. “You’re nothing, do you hear met Nothing”
“Let’s go. Millie. She is a waste of time. I heard Olivia speak.
Icouldn’t respond. I could barely breathe. The taste of blood filled my mouth, and my y vision blurred as I fought to stay conscious. The only sound was the dick of their heels as they walked out, leaving me alone and broken,
Time passed, though I couldn’t tell how much Minutes! Hours? I wasn’t sure. The pain was overwhelming, but I forced myself to move, to crawl to the door. Every movemen sent a jolt of agony through my body, but I had to get out of there. I had to find Leah
I closed my eyes trying to wave off the nausea that had crawled up my throat. I squeezed them shot and spoke to myself, mumbling things that
wouldn’t trigger me from this situation
I was mad at myself for letting myself be ambushed like this, I was mad that I let a simple kiss affect me.
I was mad because I was usually stronger than this. I was just mad,
Chapter 3
Dan I needed to find Leah, and get myself treated at once, I gave myself a pep talk and struggled to find my footing. I started dragging myself
I reached the door, using the handle to pull myself up to my feet. My legs trembled, barely able to support my weight, but I managed to stumble out of the restroom. The boutique was still quiet, the polished floors reflecting the harsh lights overhead.
Leah was standing by the register, holding a shimmering gown against herself and charting with the shop assistant. When she saw me, her smile faded, replaced by a look of pure horror.
- mr. “What happened Wiso did this to your
“Oh my God!” Leah dropped the dress and nushed over to me,
The customers in the shop went quiet as they looked at me, the same horror reflected in their eyes. Some even looked at the with pity.
I couldn’t answer. My throat was too raw, and my body was screaming in pain. Leah didn’t wait for an explanation She slipped an arm around my waist, supporting me as she led me out of the boutique.
“We need to get you to the pack hospital hospital.” Leah said, her voice shaking. “This is insane, who muld do this to you?”
“Millicent.” I managed to whisper. “Her and those girl”
Her expression darkened, and for the first time, I saw genuine anger in her eyes. “They’ll pay for this. I promise you, they’ll pay”
I didn’t have the strength to argue or even think about what would happen next. All I could do was lean on her, letting her guide me through the maze of streets until we finally reached her car.
As she drove. I stared out the window, my reflection barely recognizable in the glass, Lesh kept glancing over at me,
“Im so sorry,” she murmured. “I never should’ve left you alone,”
“It’s not your faul,” I said, though the words came out slurred, thick with pain. “None of this is your fault.”
her face tight with worry.
Leah didn’t respond, but I could see the guilt eating away at her. She had become my friend, and she had always been there for me, but this.. this was something neither of us could lurve ever anticipated.
