Chapter 3

Everest stood at my door holding a glass of milk. When he noticed that I was awake, he wore an innocent, harmless smile.

"You're up, Leo. I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd warm some milk for you. It might help you feel better."

When I ignored him and kept packing, he walked in.

After setting the glass on the table, he offered a feigned concern. "Don't be mad at Mom, Dad, or Bianca. They're just worried about me.

"I know you saved me, and I'm really grateful."

His words made my skin crawl as I coldly snapped, "Save the gratitude. Just stay away from me."

The smile finally slipped from his face. He leaned close to my ear and whispered, "Who do you think you are, Leo? You're just a country bumpkin who grew up in some rural town, so what makes you think you're worthy of competing with me?"

When he noticed my pupils constrict, his smile widened. "You're a cripple now, so let's see how you're going to fight me now."

Suddenly, his hand tilted, and the entire glass of scalding hot milk poured over my arm.

A sharp, burning pain exploded through my nerves as I grunted in pain, and my crutch slipped from my grip. I lost balance and crashed heavily to the floor.

A searing agony ripped through my leg, and cold sweat from pain soaked my back. But what broke me more was the music box that tumbled from my arms and clattered onto the floor with a crisp crack.

I looked up just in time to see Everest's foot coming down hard on the wooden box. It shattered under his force, and the tiny dancing boy snapped clean in half.

Then, he suddenly screamed before picking up a shard and drawing it lightly across his forearm. After tossing it aside, he dropped to the floor and burst into loud, dramatic screams.

"My hand hurts so much!" he wailed. "Why are you doing this to me, Leo? I know that I've messed up, but please don't hurt me…"

His theatrical wails brought the house down. Bianca was the first to burst into the room and nervously help him up, carefully inspecting the cut on his arm.

"Everest! Are you okay? Where are you hurt?"

"I'm fine," he choked and shook his head. "Leo didn't mean it. He was just upset…"

"Leo!"

My biological mom, Malinda Hopkins' roar, shook the room. "You ungrateful brat! What have you done to Everest now?'

Benedict walked over to me. His eyes were full of disappointment and disgust as he took in the mess on the floor.

"You've truly let us down, Leo. Everest kindly brought you milk, and is this how you return the favor?"

As I lay on the floor, the pain in my leg reminded me of what had just happened. No one asked if I was hurt from the fall because all they could see was the shallow scratch on Everest's arm.

At that moment, nothing mattered anymore.

Enraged by my silence, Malinda slapped me hard across the face. "I'm talking to you, so answer me!

"How on earth did the Ashcrofts raise such a vicious son? Apologize to Everest, right now!"

I covered my burning cheek and defiantly met her eyes. "I didn't do a thing, so I have nothing to apologize for."

"How dare you talk back!" She raised her hand to strike again, but Bianca stopped her and turned her cold eyes to me.

"This is my final warning, Leo. If you ever pull something like this again, you can get out of the Ashcroft family!"

Without waiting for my reply, she helped Everest up and headed straight for the hospital.