DEMI
My hands tremble as I end the call. A wave of nausea hits , threatening to make spill my guts. I bend over with a hand closed over my mouth and the other on my stomach.
"Wow." Liam exclaims, clapping his hands. "That was...beyond impressive. Your acting skills even under pressure is Oscar approved." He smiles at Skylar who pries my phone out of my hand before I bolt to a corner and throw up.
"I guess we’re going to shop for your party dress. This is my favorite part..."
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?" I yell at her after wiping my mouth. "What the hell is wrong with both of you? How are you not ashad of yourselves right now? Do you think you’re better than the people who hurt you even after all this?" I walk up to Skylar. "Look, I don’t know the backstory here but I suspect you and I have a similar bone to pick with Brett Rollins. I get that you’re livid that they were unremorseful of their wrongs towards you but here’s what I’ve realized after spending six years obsessed with getting my revenge. If you happen to enjoy doing evil in the na of avenging your loved ones, then you were always innately evil just like the Rollins family. THIS," I add referring to Ashal and the phone call, "none of it is okay and if you had a conscience or a moral compass at the very least, you’d feel ashad of yourself."
Quick as a whiplash, she smacks so hard across the cheek blood trickles from my torn lip.
"Don’t you EVER compare to those monsters!" She warns while wagging a finger in my face. Her eyes widen like saucers as she drives ho her defense.
"This is justice for all the evil they’ve wrought in this world, and all the lives they’ve destroyed." A dry chuckle follows. "You and I are nothing alike, Demi. The Rollins family killed your parents and because you’re too weak to keep your head in the ga and fight them, you’re here sucking up to them to win brownie points with Ashton. Disgraceful!" She spits on the floor and steps back, her face aglow with hatred under the glow of the light.
"That family took everything from : everything. Brett stole everything from ! He took my parents and made an orphan. He took my family’s wealth and made beg for scraps of food all my life. He even took my siblings and turned them to poisonous monsters like himself. He took everything and left with nothing but this life goal; to end his evil reign and eliminate everything that tethers him to this world. I will never feel ashad for doing the world this service."
Her eyes find Ashal’s who’s shocked at her words. She squats to stare at him. "Mother would be so ashad to see what you all have beco. She didn’t go through nine hours of labor or fight to keep you just for you to beco...this. You are a disappointnt and a disgrace. YOU WILL NEVER BE MY BROTHER." Tears stream down her face as well as Ashal’s eyes. "YOU WILL ONLY EVER BE THE SHALESS SON WHO REMAINED LOYAL TO THE DEVIL THAT RIPPED HIM AND HIS BROTHERS FROM THE ARMS OF THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS RIGHT BEFORE SETTING THEIR HO ABLAZE."
She spits on him before stepping back and slamming my phone back into my hands. I rush to comfort Ashal who’s struggling not to be overwheld with emotion.
"You better not think of breaking character, Demi. When you step through those doors and go out, you must be the enemy that family expects you to be. If you give them any reason to suspect that you’re being forced to do all this against your will, I don’t have to tell you what happens."
I glare at her. "What? You’d kill your brother? You honestly believe your parents would cheer for you and your revenge when it ans killing your own flesh and blood, instead of reuniting with them?"
Before she can step forward to hit again, Liam stops her.
"She’s trying to get into your head. Ignore her." He kisses her knuckles. "Why don’t you go get started on that shopping spree for Demi and birthday boy over here. I’ll handle things here."
Skylar draws in a sharp breath. "She better check that cockiness the next ti we run into each other or Anna might just be our new basent guest." Seeing the shock splattered all over my face makes her grin before leaving. Liam whirls to and scoffs at the sight before him; comforting Ashal.
"You would be wise to listen to everything she says, Demi. Don’t think for one second that she’s bluffing or that she’s incapable of following through with her threat. She’ll gladly prove you wrong."
When I try to reply, I feel Ashal tug tightly on my shirt, apparently stopping from antagonizing Liam with a clapback. I shut my mouth and hug him close. Liam gives us one last contemptible look before walking away. I quickly remove the duct tape around Ashal’s mouth, and almost cry when he yelps in pain.
"Oh Ashal, I’m so sorry." My fingers tremble as I cup his red, bruised face. "I’m so sorry you had to go through this."
"It’s okay." He winces in pain. When I try to untie the other ropes, he stops . "There’s no point. They won’t let walk out of here."
"I can’t leave you here like this."
"You’ll have to. Don’t antagonize them, Demi. They could really hurt you." He coughs a bit. "Why did you make that call? My family must think you’re behind all this."
"That’s the least of my worries right now, Ashal."
His eyes dim with sadness. "You keep suffering for just being associated with us. What if I don’t make it out alive to clear your na..."
"Don’t...say that." I warn him through gritted teeth. "You have to be strong. You’ll be reunited with your family soon." I press my forehead to his as he reminds of Ashton. "Why did you go to see Olivia without telling anyone?
"I needed so...closure. I needed to assure her and her family one last ti that they needn’t live in fear anymore. I should have known that my visit would only stir up their anxiety." He dips his eyes to the floor when I ease back to look at him. "I wanted to see Maddi again, to say a proper goodbye."
He’s in love with Maddi? That’s almost more complicated than being in love with my ex-husband’s brother but I say nothing on the matter. I have no right to judge.
"Olivia was startled to see . She made a big deal of my impromptu visit and refused to calm down even when I assured her I ca in peace. She spoke with soone on the phone shortly after agreeing to let talk with Maddi. The last thing I rember is passing out after taking the fruit juice I was offered. I woke up in here monts before Liam had his guards beat to a pulp."
"Then she must be in on this whole plan."
"I figured as much." He adjusts his fra against the wall. "It seems like there’s more between them."
"Between Liam and Olivia?"
"I am not sure what I saw when I roused awake after the first beating but it definitely looked and sounded like Olivia was in here with Liam. She must have co to see , only she didn’t seem surprised by or concerned about my state. She was thanking Liam instead. They seem very familiar with each other."
Olivia and Liam? I can’t believe what I am hearing.
"Maybe it’s like Liam ntioned to before. This revenge plot thrives on the support of real victims who hold a grudge against your family. Olivia must have been approached by Liam sohow and offered the opportunity to see her enemies sink in real ti. I am sure they’re just working together towards a common goal."
If he believes a word I just said, Ashal doesn’t show it. Instead, he stares blankly at the door.
"Is that lady truly my sister? She’s not the lost sister Ashton found months ago. If she’s my biological sister, then Adriana whom Ashton was introduced to as our sister must be a fake. Do you think Skylar’s behind that deception too? Could it all be a part of her sche?"
"You knew you had a biological sister this whole ti? Ashal, why didn’t you believe when I tried to warn you?
He sighs deeply. "It also took a while for Ashton to convince about Adriana, especially given the backstory her existence ca with." He manages to tell everything Cree had shared with them, making shiver with fright. Now, it’s all coming together. Skylar’s unwavering quest for revenge is understandable but hardly justifiable given her unorthodox thods.
"Maybe Cree was right all along. My father really did those despicable things to my biological parents. The adoption story must also be fake. There’s no way Skylar would be this vengeful if she wasn’t still hurting from the past. She couldn’t have made up the hatred. It clearly stems from within."
I don’t know if Cree can be trusted right now seeing as she is one of Skylar and Liam’s lackeys but the story definitely adds up. I break out of my thoughts when I hear Ashal crying.
"Hey, it’s going to be okay. Please don’t cry."
"Nothing is going to be okay. I don’t think I’ll ever be okay after all this. My whole life has been a lie. The family I fought so hard to protect might have actually made an orphan at birth. My ex-wife had abducted. I am forbidden from having a life with the one woman who loves back despite knowing my flaws. And my brothers...where do I even begin?"
I hold him close as he cries so more. Just then, Liam cos in and demands that I leave.
"Ti’s up, hon. Ti to go."
I hug Ashal one last ti, my heart breaking as I hope it won’t be the last ti I see him with breath in his body. On my way out, Liam grabs my wrist.
"No way you’re leaving with all that blood on you. I’ll get you so of Mila’s clothes, and then you can leave."
***
As I make my way to Anna’s, I try to shelve my feelings for Ashal’s condition. I need to be strong no matter what. I have to play their ga long enough to gather enough evidence that no amount of money on earth can smother.
I frisk myself and retrieve the hidden cara I wore to Liam’s place. Hopefully, I got enough footage here to show that I had nothing to do with Ashal’s condition and that Liam, together with Skylar, are behind everything.
I unearth my phone and smash it on the ground. I know well enough that it must have been tapped but more so, I can’t stand it after the call I made to Ashton. I’ll get another one. If Liam asks, I’ll just say I accidentally dropped it.
The sight of Asher’s car at Anna’s place is sothing I expected. Yet, I am not ntally or emotionally prepared to face any mber of the Rollins family right now. I am not ready to act the script of an incorrigible villain in Skylar’s plot. As I turn to leave, Anna’s voice defending catches my attention. Tears stream down my eyes when she refuses to believe the evidence Asher shoves in her face and maintains her stance that Liam is the true villain.
It feels good to know that I still have soone who trusts so much even when I am tempted to doubt myself. I didn’t an to be spotted but the way Asher was going, I feared he ant to pit my friend against . I dried my eyes and stepped out from behind his car.
"There you are." He utters before heading towards . All I can think about is Ashal and how I have to play the an bitch so he doesn’t get hurt.
"Go ho, Asher." I try to go past him but true to form, he blocks my path.
"I’m not here to beg you, Demi. I’m here to warn you. You’re playing a dangerous ga and there’s absolutely no way you’re walking out of this unscathed. If I don’t get my brother back in one piece after we comply with your terms, I’d gladly drag you to the depths of hell with . THAT’S A PROMISE."
He glares at Anna. "Saint, huh?" He hisses before getting into his car and leaving.
I walk past Anna and head into the house. Anna is kind enough to let shower first before asking how I am faring. I wait for her to ask about Asher’s accusations but she only holds close, stroking my hair.
It hurts to realize how much she trusts and how I have to lie to her keep my plans under lock. This ti around, I can’t afford to be predictable to anyone at all. I have to be the only one who knows how all of this will end. Letting Anna in might foil my plans on a large scale, especially if she’s swayed by Asher to tell him the truth. If Liam or Skylar get wind of the fact that I am playing them, Ashal could really die and I can’t have that.
"Aren’t you going to ask why I did it?" I ask, breaking the silence.
Anna continues to play with my hair. "You returned with a change of clothes that don’t belong to you and spent nearly two hours crying silently in the shower. If you had the stomach to do evil, you would have been able to hold down your dinner and sleep like a baby. I know you didn’t do that to Ashal. I don’t have to ask."
I smile maniacally. "That’s what makes this so much more interesting. No one believes I am capable of anything."
"You’re capable of a lot of good, Demi. That’s not a weakness. It’s a good thing."
"You’re right. I am good. Justice is good. Exacting justice on those who deserve it is also good. That’s why I hurt Ashal. That’s why I am still going to take down the Rollins family, because they’re a blight in our generation. It’s all good."
I feel Anna’s hands slide off my hair. I sit up, smile at her, tie my hair in a low bun and go to sleep, like a baby.
The next day, my party dress arrives early, delivered by none other than Ashton himself.
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