Chapter 2
fre not upset that Austin took me on vacation for my birthday, are you?” Hosemary asked.
You’re
I looked at her, not saying a word, and quietly closed the door behind me.
I went cold turkey with Austin. Every time we fought about Rosemary, it would spark a silent war. Austin had gotten used to this pattern, knowing that after three days, I’d be back in front of him, ready to make up.
I hadn’t even drified off to sleep when there was a loud knock at my door
“Laurel” Austin shouted. I his voice filled with frustration.
I opened the door, and he showed his phone at me. “How many times do I have to say it? Rosemary is just my sister! Why do you take it so personally?”
I was clueless. “What did I do to her?”
“And you have the nerve to ask! Did you say something to her when she came over Mom said she’s been off since she got back, and now she’s in the hospital because of her depression!”
I glanced at Austin’s phone, the screen showing a picture of Rosemary lying weakly in a hospital bed, her wrist wrapped in thick gauze
“I didn’t say anything to her,” I said. I was being honest.
Austin said to me sharply with one hand around my neck, “If anything goes wrong with Rosemary, you can forget about marrying me.”
I wanted to call him a psycho, but I couldn’t get half a sound out of my throat, and I frantically scratched at Austin’s hand, desperate for him to let
me go.
Just when I felt like I might pass out, he threw me to the ground and looked down at me, condescendingly saying, “After everything we’ve been
through, if you don’t go after Rosemary again, I might actually think about marrying you?
With that, he turned and stormed downstairs, snatching the keys from the table before slamming the door behind him.
I was left sitting on the floor, struggling to catch my breath. It felt like my heart was completely shattered. He made these wild accusations without a shred of proof, and it was like he was losing it over it all.
I wobbled a hit as I pushed myself up, steadying myself against the wall, and grabbed the phone that had been ringing off the hook on the nightstand.
“Laurel, it’s been ages! Want to grab a drink? It was Erin George, my high school classmate, someone I hadn’t seen in years.
She had just landed in Newton City and was only around for a day before she headed back.
Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I agreed to meet her
Erin had reserved a fancy dining room and invited a few of our close friends from the area. The vibe was chill as we all caught up, sharing stories from our lives while reminiscing about the good old times.
“So, Laurel, how are things with you and Austin? Still not married? Erin shot me a teasing look
Back in the day, everyone figured Austin and I would end up together since we were high school sweethearts who went to the same college..
I nagged at the collar of my turtleneck sweater, avoiding eye contact as I swirled the wine in my glass before downing it. “Nope Guess it just wasn’t meant to be
Polly Maxwell frowned, leaning in. “Is it you or him who doesn’t want it anymore!”
“It’s him” I replied, feeling the weight of those words.
Suddenly, Polly slammed her hand on the table hand enough to send her fork clattering to the ground. “Is it because of Rosemary? I warned you ages ago that she’ll always be in the way between you two, but you wouldn’t listen!”
I couldn’t help bu
but let out a binter laugh and shake my head. I always thought Austin just liked pampering his “sister.”
“Rosemary?” Laura Watson chimed in, pulling out her phone to show us something.
TA
Chapter 2
She played a video that caught everyone’s attention: there was Rosemary, wildly banging on a middle–aged guy with her heel. The man wrists hrmly and was telling bystanders, “My wife is just having a tantrum, so don’t mind her”
With tears in her eyes. Rosemary was begging. “No, please help me!”
held her
The video ended with a tall guy standing up to confront the burly man, announcing that the police were on their way. Just before he left, the burly guy leaned in to whisper something threatening to Rosemary
“I went viral in my neighborhood–everyone was saying the guy was a psychopath and warned to be careful when going out.” Laura looked at me. her eyes filled with pity. “It looked like Rosemary”
Ti’s her,” I said calmly, unable to shake the unsettling feeling.
The woman in the video looked just like Rosemary, from her hair to the
the wort
Austin had vaguely mentioned that Rosemary had been molested as a child, leaving her with deep psychological sears. I couldn’t help but think the psycho had something to do with her suicide
“Quit bringing her up. Fuld you Austin’s no good for you. When the hell are you finally gonna dump him?” Polly, a bit tipsy, shot me a disapproving look, like she was ready to jump on me if I said I still had feelings for Austin.
Outside, the rain drizzled against the window, and I noticed a dull ache from the bruise on my neck.
I stared at the raindrops sliding down the glass, feeling a bit lost. “Just a couple more days”
A week later, Austin got in touch again. The whole Rosemary situation had somehow made the news, and I followed it reluctantly.
The report said the man was in a psychiatric hospital, and the girl who was involved was under close protection by her family.
I knew Austin was aware of the truth. When he called, instead of apologizing, he casually informed me he’d be home for dinner tonight. I shrugged it off, “Anything else?
The agent waited patiently for me to sign the contract, and I double–checked everything before putting my name down. Austin was quiet for a while, then finally said, “Laurel, about the other day, L.
I kept silent, waiting for him to continue. In the end, I didn’t get the apology I expected. Instead, he blurted out, “Let’s get married, Laurel. I’ll meet you at the city hall tomorrow.”
I couldn’t help but smile ironically, feeling an unusual heaviness in my heart
Had I been so indulgent with him over the years that I’d given him the impression this was how to make it up to me? Did he really think I was that easy to brush aside!
“No, thanks,” I replied
His displeasure was clear. “What do you mean, no?”
1 strolled over to the window to take in the view of Newton City, a place I’d been stuck in for what felt like ages. I moved here for Austin since his whole family was based in this city
I saved up every penny to buy this house, hoping that one day, if I got married, my mom would come to live here with me. It’d make it easier to care for her.
But honestly. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being pretty selfish, making her move to a strange city just for me. Right now, though, I’d never
felt more sober
“I mean, we’re done,” I said.
Austin was about to say more when I heard Rosemary’s voice blaring on the other end. “Austin, where are you?”
He left me a quick, irritated “Cut it our” and hung up
The agent beside me pretended not to notice the commation and flashed a smile, saying, “Ms. Parks, the funds will arrive within 24 hours
I nodded and handed him the key. Thanks Here you go.
