Vernon had always been obsessed with his reputation. Given the situation, he must’ve already convinced himself that I had betrayed him—and in front of everyone, no less.
"Come home with me."
Vernon grabbed my wrist, his grip like iron.
"Vernon, wake up! This hotel is lined with surveillance cameras. If you want the truth, just check the footage!"
"And if you had bothered to look at the note Riley took from me, you'd already know what's going on."
"The handwriting on it isn’t mine—it’s Riley’s!"
I could feel the frustration building, my words desperate as I tried to explain everything.
But just then, my phone died, and I couldn’t access the photo I’d just taken.
Riley, standing there with that smug smile, spoke up, her voice dripping with false innocence.
"Sister, I haven’t left Vernon’s side for even a second. Stop trying to slander me."
Riley wept pitifully, her delicate face streaked with tears. Her sobs echoed in the room as she trembled.
"If you don’t check, I will."
I wrenched my wrist from Vernon’s grasp and moved toward the surveillance footage, determined to uncover the truth.
Riley, eyes wide with panic, dashed forward to stop me.
I barely brushed her aside, and yet, she stumbled, throwing herself towards a nearby vase as if in slow motion. The vase crashed to the ground, shattering into a thousand jagged pieces.
For a moment, I stood frozen, unsure of what had just happened.
Riley cupped her face, her cries escalating into screams, claiming her face had been ruined.
Vernon’s rage ignited at the sight of blood trickling through her fingers, and he exploded in fury.
"How dare you hurt her face?!"
He rushed to Riley’s side like a man possessed, his hands frantic as they searched for her injuries.
"Riley, we’re going to the hospital right now!"
I knew how much her face meant to Vernon, but at that moment, all I could think was: Why should I be the one to bear the weight of this?
I no longer cared about proving my innocence. The only thing that mattered was escaping.
Ignoring Vernon’s accusations, I turned on my heel and stumbled out of the lounge.
Just as I thought I could breathe, Riley’s shrill shriek echoed behind me. She charged at me and, with a savage shove, sent me tumbling down the stairs.
