“You cheated with my adoptive sister. How
can you expect me to be happy?”
“Are you still holding onto that? I’ve explained
it a million times. Why are you being so
petty? Why can’t you be understanding like
Tiffany?”
He was blaming everything on me, acting like
he was right and putting me down.
I’d never seen someone so shameless.
“If you think Tiffany’s so great, why don’t you
marry her?”
Г
Ryan didn’t believe me.
Everyone knew I loved him.
Everyone thought I’d never let him go.
And he didn’t believe I’d leave when my
wedding was coming up.
So he just said, “Fine. You said it. Don’t come
crying back to me.”
“Ryan, is that you?” Tiffany asked, coming
outside and interrupting us.
“Your mom said you were upset today. What
happened?”
Tiffany glanced at me, then went to Ryan and
said, “Chloe was crazy today. She was
chasing me with a baseball bat…”
Ryan frowned, about to yell at me. But Tiffany
grabbed his arm.
“Don’t yell at her, Ryan. It’s my fault. If your
mom hadn’t adopted me, I wouldn’t be here.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s hers. She can’t stand
anyone, okay? It’s her fault.”
Ryan put his arm around Tiffany. “I won’t
press charges, but you need to apologize to
her.”
Chapter 6
I laughed at their ridiculousness.
く
“Apologize to her? You’re dreaming!”
My rideshare showed up.
I slammed the door and left.
Living in a hotel was peaceful.
Then my mom texted me.
“Chloe, it’s my birthday. Come home. I didn’t
want you to come, but Tiffany asked me to let
you. Say thank you to her.”
I hadn’t forgotten her birthday.
But I wasn’t going to plan the party and buy
the gifts like I used to.
And I wasn’t going back.
It wasn’t my home anymore.
As I was eating lunch, my mom sent another
text: “Why aren’t you here yet? Ryan’s here.
It’s not good if the daughter isn’t here.”
“I’m not mad that you didn’t plan a party this
year. Are you still mad about the slap?
“Why can’t you be like Tiffany?”
I rolled my eyes.
I added her to the block list.
Then Ryan called.
“Where are you? Stop being a baby and come
over here. Or everyone will think your mom
and Tiffany did something to you.”
I hung up and blocked his number.
After lunch, I got a text from my best friend,
Sarah.
Her project was finally finished.
She wanted to get drunk.
I wasn’t going to say no.
When I got there, Sarah was talking to the
bartender.
She waved.
“Long time no see! You look skinny!”
She frowned. “Did Ryan do something to
YOUR!! ་་
<
I smiled. “Sarah, I’m not marrying Ryan.”
Sarah hugged me.
I didn’t need to say anything. She knew.
We drank.
I told Sarah everything.
Sarah said, “He doesn’t deserve you! That
dog needs to get lost!”
“Hey, ladies! Why don’t I buy you drinks?”
A drunk guy showed up.
He looked at me and Sarah.
<
I grabbed his hand.
But he was strong.
I struggled.
Sarah fell.
Everyone just watched.
Chapter 7
Someone pulled me away and kicked the
drunk guy.
It was Sam.
“Which hand did you touch her with? Or did
you use both?”
<
Sam looked at the guy like he was dead.
He was crushing the guy’s hand.
The guy was begging and crying.
Sam said, “Get out of here.”
Sam used to be so nice.
