Chapter 20%
I was done being quiet. After Roscoe was rushed into the emergency room, after the blood on his sleeves and the IV in his arm, after the bruises bloomed on his temple like a cruel crown–I snapped.
“You don’t let them near me again,” I told the estate security chief. “I don’t care if they beg, scream, or crawl. I want eyes on Jared Stone and Jackson Stone. If they show up at the gates, call the police.“}
“Yes, ma’am.“)
But they didn’t stop. They lingered outside the hospital like lost boys in broken suits, calling my name every time I left the building. They sent letters. Voice mails. Flowers I never touched.
It didn’t end there.
They started harassing my parents–cornering my mother at a charity gala, demanding that my father “hear them out.” As if they hadn’t spent years silencing me.
Still, I tried to focus.
Roscoe had been unconscious for nearly thirty–six hours. He was stable, the doctors said, but the blow to his head had caused swelling. I stayed at his side every moment I was allowed. Reading. Waiting. Praying.
That morning, I left his room only briefly to grab fresh fruit and tea from the cafeteria. My heels clicked down the sterile hall, my hair tied back, eyes tired but hopeful.
I didn’t expect to see her.}
Audrey. Standing in the hallway outside her own hospital room, as if she belonged there. Like nothing had changed.§
The moment her eyes landed on me, her expression twisted.
“You’re the reason for all of this!” she screamed.
I tried to ignore her. I walked faster, clutching the tray.”
Then she lunged. Her fingers yanked my hair so hard my head jerked back. The tray clattered to the ground, fruit rolling across the tiles. She screamed again, sobbing. “You ruined everything! You ruined my life!“}
I turned.
And I fought back.§
I grabbed her wrists and shoved her away, fury burning in my chest. “You did that all by yourself, Audrey!“}]
She clawed at me again, but I was faster. I wasn’t the girl who backed down anymore. We wrestled, clumsy and angry, crashing into the wall. Nurses shouted. A tray of linens spilled nearby. Audrey tried to push me, but her foot slipped.}
She tumbled backward.
Down the stairs.
Her cry echoed, then silence.
Everyone rushed over.
I stood at the top, panting, still shaking. My shirt was torn, hair disheveled. But I didn’t move. Jackson and Jared had seen everything. They ran over–but not to her. They didn’t even glance at her.
Instead, they turned to me. I thought Jared would say something. Beg again.
But he didn’t. He just watched me, eyes empty. Jackson looked away completely.
For once, Audrey’s tears didn’t move them.
And I didn’t feel sorry.”
Then a nurse sprinted toward me. “Miss Reid, your fiancé… he’s awake. He’s asking for you.”
My heart stopped.
Iran.S
Roscoe was propped slightly up in bed, a bandage around his head, IV still in his arm–but his eyes were open. Alive.$
“Hey,” he rasped, voice hoarse but warm.”
I nearly collapsed into his arms.
“Don’t move too much,” whispered, holding his hand, brushing back his hair gently. “You scared me.”
He winced slightly. “I should’ve kept my head down. I didn’t mean for that fight to-”
“Slop.” My voice cracked. “Don’t apologize.”
His thumb brushed my hand.
“I saw them outside,” he said quietly. “Still clinging. Still loud.”
I nodded “They don’t matter.”
He looked at me. “But you do.”
My throat tightened
“I’m sorry.” I whispered, tears blurring my vision. “I should’ve protected you better. I should’ve kept you out of this “E
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2:14 PM S
“You didn’t drag me into anything,” he said. “I chose this. I chose you. And I’ll keep choosing you, even if it means another black eye.“>
I laughed through my tears. “You look terrible.”
He smiled. “Still better than Jared.”
I leaned down and kissed him–long, slow, and full of everything I couldn’t say.
When I pulled back, he whispered, “So…. are we still getting married?”
I smiled against his lips. “You better believe it.”
Because finally, I had everything I needed–and nothing I didn’t.”
And this time, no one would take it away.
2:15 PM
