Chapter 2

My shoulder hurt so badly I was sweating, and I was in no mood for him. I laughed.

"So what? The party started without me, didn't it?

"And as for dignity, don't you know my family only ordered a gown for Sophia? What the hell was I supposed to wear to look respectable for you?"

I had to submit a written request to the family accountant to spend five dollars on a sandwich.

A gown was never happening.

Surprise flickered in Julian's eyes. Then he raised his voice. "Sophia was looking for you the whole time we were setting up. Now you've shown up like this just to scare her. Apologize to her right now!"

"Looking for me?"

I laughed out loud and turned toward Sophia, still surrounded by guests.

"Then how come I didn't get one message?"

Instead, I'd made dozens of calls for help, and they'd rejected every one.

Sophia seemed to notice us. She lifted her skirt and came hurrying over.

"Renee, where did you go? I was so worried about you!"

Her eyes were red and her voice broke as she grabbed my hand.

As if she were the one who'd just been hit by a car.

"Get off me!" I shoved her hand away.

My father and my brother came over with their faces set.

"Sophia was looking for you, and you weren't here. Now everyone's enjoying themselves, and you want to make a scene?"

I gave a bitter smile.

My bandages were soaked with blood. The card statement showed a hospital charge. Yet not one of them asked what had happened. They just kept telling me I'd frightened Sophia.

Julian stepped closer. "Renee," he ordered flatly. "Back down. Apologize to Sophia!"

"Apologize?" I looked at Sophia. "Why would I apologize?"

"Renee Bennett!"

My brother started to speak, but I cut him off. "I was nearly killed in a car accident. My cards were frozen, and I was thrown out of the hospital. I walked more than ten miles alone without a sip of water, and not one of you asked how I was. And you want me to apologize to Sophia?"

I pointed at Sophia. "If she hadn't tricked the driver with a fake message and sent the car somewhere else, I wouldn't have been walking along that road at night. I wouldn't have been hit—"

"Shut your mouth!"

Julian shoved me hard in the shoulder.

Crash!

The sound echoed through the hall.

I fell into the fountain in the middle of the hall. The gauze on my shoulder came apart, and blood spread through the water.

The room went dead silent.

Every pair of eyes was on me.

"Have you forgotten that you almost killed Sophia?"

Julian's eyes were red with rage. "Sophia doesn't hold it against you, and you have the nerve to point a finger at her?" he roared. "Renee, you're beyond saving!"