Chapter 8

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• Eighty-Eight Strikes and I'm Out   Chapter 8

  "Pathetic," Cindy sneered.Clutching her burning cheek, she slowly pushed herself off the floor, lips curling into a twisted grin."Find Vivian? Please. She left the country ages ago. Didn't any of you notice the background during that last call? That was an international terminal."She looked them over—three fools drowning in regret—and let out a cold, mocking laugh."So what if she's your real daughter? I still ran her off like a stray dog. No, wait—"She pointed, one by one, at Emory, Catherine, and Andrew."It was all of us. Dear old Dad. Sweet, loving Mom. And you, Andrew. The dream team. Aren't you proud?""Shut up, you lunatic!"Something snapped in Andrew. His last thread of denial ripped clean.Eyes bloodshot, veins pulsing at his temple—he lunged.But Cindy moved fast, ducking behind Catherine.Unprepared, Catherine took the full hit as Andrew barreled forward. She lost her balance, crashing headfirst into the sharp edge of the marble coffee table.No scream. Just

• Eighty-Eight Strikes and I'm Out   Chapter 7

  Cindy froze. Her voice cracked. "What kidnapping? What are you even talking about?"Panic surged as she punched into her phone, jaw tight. She wired him $2,000 with a message: [Try this again and you won't see another cent.]Robert frowned at the tiny transfer but staggered to his feet anyway. He blew Cindy a gross, sloppy kiss."Fine, fine. I'm out—for today. Don't forget to miss me, sweetheart."As he shuffled off, Cindy finally exhaled, her body loosening like a coiled spring.She was just about to spin a cover story when she looked up—and froze.Emory was already in Robert's path, blocking the doorway.His voice came low and rough. "You said something about a kidnapping five years ago? What do you know?"And just like that, an image hit him—Vivian, pale, pleading, repeating herself like no one was listening.For the first time, a voice deep inside whispered: 'Maybe... you got it all wrong.'"Oh, I know plenty," Robert said with a greasy chuckle, rubbing his fingers togeth

• Eighty-Eight Strikes and I'm Out   Chapter 6

  None of them—Vivian's parents, Emory and Catherine, her ex-fiancé Andrew, or even Cindy—ever saw it coming. Vivian fighting back? Actually setting Cindy up to get expelled? Unthinkable.Cindy's screams filled the room, followed by the sound of stuff breaking.Catherine, her mother, rubbed her temples with a sigh. "Why is Vivian still so selfish? It was just a design. Did she really have to make it a whole thing? Look how upset Cindy is."Emory's face hardened. "She's gotten gutsy. Won't even answer. If she's so capable, let her stay gone."Andrew sat off to the side, gripping his phone in dead silence.Ever since Vivian hung up, something felt off. Wrong.He kept texting her—DMs, messages, everything—but got nothing back.Frowning, he scrolled through their chat history.When did it all shift? From nonstop talking to weeks of silence?Then he saw it. The moment everything cracked: right after the first wedding cancellation.Vivian had asked, [Do you really love me?]He'd bee

• Eighty-Eight Strikes and I'm Out   Chapter 5

  I was chilling in the airport lounge, sipping my coffee, when the big screen started looping the winners from the "Emerging Design Competition."Front and center? The piece the media was hyping as a "stroke of genius," a "total game-changer."Yep—the one I "gave" to Cindy.Right then, my phone lit up with a video call.Her face filled the screen, all smugness gone, replaced by full-blown panic. "Vivian, you bitch! You set me up with a winning piece? Just wait—I'm not letting you get away with this!"Her voice cracked, sharp and dripping with hate.Honestly? Hilarious. Even thieves think they're the victims now.I raised an eyebrow, a cold smile creeping in. "YOU'RE not letting ME get away?"I tapped my coffee cup—sharp, deliberate."Pretty sure your school's policy is crystal clear. Plagiarized work? Instant expulsion. And if the real creator presses charges..."I leaned in, eyes slicing right through the screen. "So, Cindy—should I?""You wouldn't dare!"Dad's voice explod

• Eighty-Eight Strikes and I'm Out   Chapter 4

  Freedom hit like a breath of fresh air. I hadn't slept all night, but my eyes weren't tired—just wired with hope.All that past drama? Crushed under the wheels as the car sped off.Right when I hit the airport with my suitcase, Mom FaceTimed me.The camera shook a little, then boom—Andrew's face popped up, all soft and doting.He was feeding Cindy soup, blowing on it like she was five. My parents hovered by the bed, cooing, "Slow down," "Careful, it's hot."Mom spotted me first. Her smile stayed plastic. "Vivian, where are you? Cindy was just saying how amazing your soup is. Look how happy she looks."Cindy, glowing like she'd just won prom queen, flashed a sugary smile. Not even a hint of sadness.She caught Mom's signal, looked straight into the camera. Her eyes gleamed with smug drama, then she dipped her head and took a slow sip from Andrew's spoon."Vivian, thanks for the soup. I'm so sorry my body gave out yesterday and messed up your wedding... you're not mad at me, righ

• Eighty-Eight Strikes and I'm Out   Chapter 3

  I spent the night alone on a cold church pew. At dawn, I drifted home, half-conscious.The second I walked in, Andrew was there—bloodshot eyes, a wreck.He saw the blood on my dress and rushed to hug me."I'm sorry," he said, voice cracking. "I was gonna come back. But every time I tried, Cindy lost it. I swear, I couldn't leave her like that. She just settled down, and I was on my way to find you... Are you okay?""I'm fine." My voice didn't waver. "It's okay, Andrew. The wedding can wait. Cindy's health comes first."His face froze. "You really mean that?""Of course."Honestly, I didn't blame him for needing confirmation. We'd fought about Cindy a hundred times. Why wouldn't he double-check?They'd tested the waters before—soft suggestions to just skip the wedding, you know, for Cindy's sake.Every time, I held my ground. I wasn't gonna let them erase me that easily.But now? None of it mattered.I was done. Wedding or not—I was leaving.I smiled, took the soup ingredien