But as I stepped into the sunlight, the world ahead seemed to shimmer. I thought of Callum’s warm smile, and for the first time in a long while, my eyes filled with hope.
This time, I didn’t need to look back.
Callum, once I finished this final task, we’d meet again.
The pain from the wounds on my forehead and hand flared up with each step as I left the Aldridge estate. I gritted my teeth, the blood staining my skin, but I didn’t stop. I had to go to the hospital.
The nurse took one look at me, bruised and battered, and then glanced toward a distant, luxurious ward, shaking her head.
“Comparisons will kill you,” she muttered.
Following her gaze, I saw Arabelle had also arrived. The doctor was removing glass shards from her skin. She had gone all out to frame me, willing to sacrifice her own flesh to see me suffer.
Each time the doctor touched her, Arabelle’s soft cries filled the air, and she clung to Jaxon as if they were the only two people in the world. Their affection for each other was sickening to watch.
The nurse pressed alcohol onto my wounds, the sting sharp enough to make me flinch. My hand, where Arabelle’s heel had stomped, was raw; a deep gash and ugly purple bruises marked the spot, a clear sign of her intent to destroy me.
Once my wounds were bandaged, I grabbed the bill and turned to leave. But as I rounded the corner, I ran straight into Arabelle.
Jaxon wasn’t around. Arabelle immediately dropped the act, crossing her arms and eyeing me with a mocking smile.
“How does it feel to be kicked out of the Aldridge family? Doesn’t feel so great, does it?”
Her words were hollow, like an echo that meant nothing to me. The truth was, the only two real consequences of leaving the Aldridge family were the lack of food and nowhere to sleep. She still thought I cared about Jaxon and still believed I was clinging to him.
I ignored her, trying to walk past, but she stepped forward, blocking my way. I frowned, meeting her gaze.
“Miss Kingsley, since I’m no longer part of the Aldridge family if you keep this up, things might get ugly.”
Arabelle sneered.
“Stop pretending. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re really up to. You’re acting like you’re leaving just so Jaxon will come after you, right? You think playing hard to get will get you back in his bed?”