LOGINThe long-sleeved dress was beautiful, and I felt comfortable looking at myself in the mirror.The ivory gown hugged my waist perfectly, with delicate lace covering my arms and a flowing skirt that reached my ankles. It wasn't the most extravagant dress in the boutique, but I loved it, especially because it covered my scars without making me feel as though I was hiding beneath layers of fabric.Unfortunately, Susan and Claire didn't share my enthusiasm."The sleeves are rather heavy," Susan remarked, examining me through the mirror. "And I think the neckline could be more flattering."Claire circled me slowly, pretending to study the dress. "I agree. It's pretty, but it looks a little too conservative. Something with sheer sleeves would be more elegant."I smiled politely. "Those are interesting opinions."Claire raised an eyebrow, probably expecting me to argue."I simply think you could choose something better," she added sweetly."Perhaps, but I like this one."Susan sighed. "Rebel
If I had known that waking up meant facing Claire's smug face again, I would have happily stayed in bed until the wedding was over.Unfortunately, Susan Kane did not believe in allowing people to enjoy their misery in peace.By the time I walked into the dining room the following morning, Claire was already seated beside her, looking as fresh and beautiful as if she had spent the previous night sleeping on a cloud instead of deliberately ruining mine. Her blonde hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and she wore a cream-coloured dress that made her look like the sort of woman who had never raised her voice, broken a nail, or done anything as disgraceful as punching someone in the face.I hated her.I hated her because she knew exactly what she had done to me, yet she had somehow managed to turn herself into the victim while everyone else looked at me as though I were the worst person to have ever entered the Kane mansion."Good morning," Susan said without looking up from her
I didn't wait for anyone to say anything else.The moment Chris loosened his arms around me, I stepped away."I'm going to my room."Nobody stopped me.I didn't look at Sean.I didn't look at Claire.I didn't look at Susan or Dad either.I simply turned and walked away.I kept my head up until I reached the staircase, forcing myself not to run because I refused to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing how badly they had gotten to me.The moment I reached the hallway upstairs, I hurried.I pushed my bedroom door open, stepped inside and locked it behind me.Then I broke.I pressed my back against the door and covered my mouth as a sob escaped.I hated myself for crying.I hated Claire for making me cry.I hated Susan and David for blaming me without even asking what happened.But most of all, I hated Sean.I hated the way he had looked at Claire.I hated the way he had protected her.I hated the way she had clung to him while he stood there like she was the only person in the room wort
"Then you won't mind what I'm about to tell you."I stared at Claire."What?"Her smile widened slightly."I noticed something tonight."I folded my arms."I really don't care what you've noticed.""I think you do.""Claire."She tilted her head, studying me with an expression that made my skin crawl."You have a little crush on Sean."My heart stopped.For one horrible second, I couldn't breathe.Then I scoffed."You've lost your mind.""Have I?""Yes."She smiled."And you're embarrassed.""I'm not embarrassed.""You barely looked at him during dinner.""Because I didn't want to.""And yet you couldn't stop watching me whenever I spoke to him."My jaw tightened. Claire stepped closer, lowering her voice."I've seen girls like you before."Girls like me?My fingers curled against my palms."You don't know anything about me.""I know enough.""No, you don't."She gave me a pitying smile."You like him."I said nothing."You probably think he likes you too.""I never said that.""You d
I followed Chris upstairs laughing under my breath.I couldn't believe we had actually gotten away with it.For the first few minutes, Chris didn't even tell me where we were going.He just kept walking."Where are we going?" I finally asked."Somewhere fun."He glanced over his shoulder."You'll see."We passed the main staircase and continued down a quieter hallway I had barely noticed before.Chris stopped in front of a set of double doors and pushed them open.I stared in curiosity. It was a private game room.There was a pool table in the middle, a dartboard against one wall, several arcade machines along another, a large television, comfortable couches and even an old-fashioned jukebox in the corner.I slowly turned toward him."This place has a game room?"He shrugged."It has a lot of rooms."I laughed. "Apparently."He walked toward the pool table and picked up a cue."Come on."I followed him."You know how to play?"He gave me an offended look."Of course.""I've never seen
I tried to focus on my food.I really did.Unfortunately, it was difficult when Claire was sitting beside Sean, looking perfectly comfortable as she talked to Susan as though they had known each other forever.Apparently, Susan loved her.That became painfully obvious within the first ten minutes."So you think the outdoor reception should have more greenery?" Susan asked.Claire nodded immediately."Definitely. The venue is already so beautiful, so I wouldn't cover it with too many flowers. I think we should let the garden do most of the work."Susan smiled. "Exactly what I was thinking."I slowly lowered my fork."The tables should be kept simple too," Claire continued. "Elegant, but not overcrowded."Susan nodded, "Yes. I don't want anything that looks too excessive."Excessive?We were sitting in a private dining room in a billionaire's estate with a7 chandelier that probably cost more than my entire education.I took a sip of water as Claire continued talking."And for the recepti
I couldn’t breathe.One second, Dwayne was dragging me through the packed crowd with his hand wrapped tightly around my wrist, and the next, Chris punched him so hard his head could have snapped sideways. Girls screamed.A table crashed over.I stood there frozen, staring at Chris Kane. I thought
He wore dark clothes that made him stand out above all the other brightly dressed guys, band aids still decorated his face. “Hey Dwayne, I thought you said you wouldn't make it,” I said and he shrugged. “I came for you. You look good. Want a drink princess?” He yelled above the noise. “I’m not a
Dad wasn’t alone. A woman sat opposite him, smiling warmly. She had long gray hair and bold green eyes, she sat confidently with her legs crossed. I felt immediately intimidated by her calm but bold presence. “Rebel,” my dad said, getting up to give me a hug. “Meet Susan, she's going to be your st
The door suddenly barged open. All fours of us watched as a guy with band aids decorating his gorgeous face stepped in. He paused when he saw me,“What's going on here?” He asked in a deep voice, turning his gaze to the three guys. “Dwayne?. You're alive?” Brown curl began to laugh, “I thought Ch







