Chapter 16
My banda mendietan i grieta the song – the the
es but let me. It was the woh bahan and I fosil ke på si wah ulatus
cumvong, it hurt ummhed, and for three whole day –
sed, devastated by the jo
When I was younger, in another
be sushit buy me an idenin al vose, but be disbot understand. Levins if there was sigiler..
akir. RioneUR
monoest shot I had lost weight, she would nag. “Laurel, you need to eat more. When you grow taller
1 had always acknot the ning. Every none I looked
me of my grandmother’s kind, indulgent fac
tais mong my schoolbag, bonight nor toys that my mother
ast offered simuch during
ધો-૧૧ ૩
the volchest pain of my childbesed when my father was docu
But I never got to say goodbye to my grandmother.
When my mesher handed over the ring after her passing.
. Loned heavily
The ring wasn’t just a piece of jewelry–it carsed the love and memories of nw childhost.
“Actually, I don’t really care about the ting.” Rosemary cast with a small smile. “But kosom you care about it so much, so I jokingly told Austin that I
anted it, and he went ahead and took it”
all for the sake of appeasing Rosemary
Her words pierced my heart. I never expected Austin to take the one thing that meant everything to me, all for
He had helped search for the ring when it was missing, even buying flowers and trying to make me feel better as if he lost at bow
I had blamed myself for not keeping the ring close, but now the truth stung Austin had stolen 11 for Rosemary, just because she had mentioned
He knew that ring couldn’t be replaced. He gave it to her just because she casually mentioned she liked it.
I was so furious I couldn’t even find the words
She smirked. “Laurel, if I’m guessing right, there’s more missing from your family than just this, isn’t there?”
Her eyes gleamed with a mischievous light as she smiled. “Don’t doubt it. Some of it I took myself. As for the rest… well, you know how it goes”
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm despite the anger building inside me. “Rosemary, I don’t care about the other stuff, but this ring— this one validerent. Give it back. Or else.
“What will you do?” Rosemary’s eyes sparkled with a malicious gleam as she looked at me, daring me to make a move,
Til report you to the police for stealing it.” I replied quickly.
Rosemary scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. “Do you really think the police will believe you? Or me? Don’t forget who you are
“Not only will the police ignore you, but so will Austin and my mom. They’ll think you’re crazy”
I used to think Rosemary was just a harmless, jealous girl, the kind who acts all sweet but secretly harbors resentment.
1 can’t pin all the blame on her–Austin definitely had his men llaws.
But now, seeing her for what she truly was, a venomous snake.
“Do you want Austin“” I snapped. “If you give me the ring back. I’ll break up with him. Will that be enough for you?”
I didn’t need a scumbag like him. Let her have him, they deserved each other. Hope they stayed miserable together and stopped ruiming other people’s lives
Rosemary smiled a smug smile. “Of course not. You’ve already slandered me in the family chat, making everyone think it’s me who runned things between you and Austin. You’re cruel, you know?
My voice hardened as I stared Rosemary down. “You’re the one who’s ruined everything. You don’t even have boundaries with Austin.
1/2
Chapter to
Hen, his statet hom dare you act like his girlfirend? It shat v whi
(bent down, picking up
you want, then fine. Just ge me the ring bark
- bure nested into in expression of fear, and my heart skipped. But when I tumed amound, there was no one behind me
ring had fallen from Rosemary’s hand and shattered into two pieces.
pirves, my nails digging mto my palms as I stood up. In that instant. I slapped Rosemary across the fare.
stumbled back crashing to the floor, her cheek swelling immediately
From ourode, Austin a voice rang out, and Rosemary, like a drowning person clinging to a lifeline, rushed to him, tears streaming down her face
I stood frozen, my mind whirling I didn’t cry, but the tears wouldn’t stop falling
all I have been so blind, trusting someone who had stolen from me?
Sighing deeply. I wiped my tears away and washed my face
When I walked
Rosemary clinging to Austin, trembling as she cried.
Austin, confused and panicked, pulled Rosemary into his arms, his eyes frantic as he asked, “Rosemary, what happened? Why are you crying? What
appened to your face!
me.” I said coldly, my gaze unblinking as I stared at Austin.
Austin froze, his hand momentanly still on Rosemary’s shoulder. His warm expression vanished, replaced by cold, sharp anger. “You what the hell
is going on!”
I took a slow breath before raising my head, my reddened eyes locking onto Austin’s. “Is it so easy for you to trample on my feelings
Austin’s eyes narrowed in confusion, but there was still that icy edge to his gaze. “What are you talking about! You hit Rosemary! Apologize right
now, or I’ll never forgive you.”
A small, bitter smile curved my lips. “Forgive me? Do you think I need your forgiveness!”
“Enough” Austin barked “Don’t push me any further. You forget–your mom’s still in the hospital.”
“So now you re threatening met Using my mom’s health to manipulate me, forcing me to give in every time?” My voice was sharp, every word cutting deeper.
Austin’s face reddened with rage, his expression seething. The wedding is for you, not me. You hit Rosemary. I’m telling you, apologize?”
“Don’t argue with Laurel because of me, Austin, Rosemary begged.
She tearful, looked up at Austin with pleading eyes before turning to me. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause
okay? She’s got heart problems. You know how fragile she is.”
any trouble. Don’t let this hurt your
“You’re right, it’s my fault.” I walked up to Rosemary, guilt written all over my face. Then, I raised my hand and slapped her again. “I shouldn’t have allowed you to keep poking at me”
“Are you out of your mind Austin bellowed out.
