Chapter 2
Wait–Damien didn’t give her hell?
I
I was totally confused.[]
Emma shot me this ice–cold look and dropped whatever she was carrying.
Then she came at me, slapping me so hard I saw stars.
“Claire! Who said you could just DITCH me tonight!”
“I told
“I told you to keep lookout!”
When they heard this, Mom and Dad went white as sheets.]]
They both jumped on me, yanking me around so hard they ripped my work shirt.]
“Claire Parker, you didn’t help your sister?! What’s your problem? Can’t handle one damn job?!“]
“Emma picked you for a reason! Said you’d be quick, and you totally screwed her over!”
“Christ, what good are you?!“]
After saying that, they spun around to Emma, freaking out.
“Emma, sweetle, what now? Think you can try again? Did Sterling catch you?“]
Emma went dead quiet, giving me this look that could kill.
I teared up instantly, playing the innocent card hard.[]
“I’m sorry, I… I got scared.”
“I thought if Sterling’s
guys caught us, we’d be toast.“]
“I didn’t mean to! Emma, can you give me one more shot? I promise I’ll listen this time!“]
Emma rolled her eyes and flopped onto the couch. Some lab equipment fell out of her bag.
“Whatever, I don’t need you. You’re completely useless.”
“Lucky I’m not an idiot like you. I grabbed the embryos right before Sterling showed up, or else you think I’d be sitting here? I’d be six feet under!”
Mom and Dad breathed huge sighs of relief, totally kissing Emma’s ass.]
“So what’d you tell Sterling? He buy it?”
“Yeah, said I was lab staff, which isn’t technically a lie. He was busy talking shop with the doctor anyway, so he didn’t grill me.”
“Thank God this whole thing’s so top secret. Sterling’s paranoid as hell–even killed the security cameras. Otherwise I never
would’ve made it out.”
I thought her plan had totally failed and I’d dodged a bullet.
Turns out she was way faster than I expected.]]
If I don’t distance myself from her ASAP, she’s gonna drag me down with her!
The thought made my skin crawl. I had to say something:
“You think Sterling’s that easy to fool? If he figures out someone swapped his embryos, we’ll be dead before we know what hit us!“]
“Emma, I already told you–this shit’s illegal! Sure, Sterling’s keeping it quiet now, but when this blows up, he’s got plenty of ways to shut us up permanently.[]
Éven if you wanna marry into his family, you can’t drag the rest of us down!”
The second I finished looking out for our whole family, Dad slapped me across the face.
“SHUT UP! Quit with the doom and gloom. Your sister graduated from Harvard–you think she can’t handle this?!“]
“Who asked for your opinion?! If you’re so smart, why are you still working some dead–end job five years after college?”
Mom jumped in, totally pissed:[]
“I raised you two the exact same way, and look–Emma’s this successful and comes up with brilliant plans like this!
And you? You’re completely useless, just running your mouth! Tonight you almost got your sister caught! I should’ve strangled you at birth!“]
“Your whole life I’ve been cleaning up your messes–bullying classmates, stealing homework, straight–up cheating on tests! You’ve been embarrassing our family since day one!”
“I’m telling you one last time–either start dating seriously and settle down, or get the hell out of this house!”
