Semua Bab Eighty-Eight Strikes and I'm Out: Bab 1 - Bab 8

Beneath the church dome, the last bit of light vanished, swallowing me whole.Midnight struck. Still no Andrew.I knew how this ended—just like the last eighty-seven times. Wrecked and forgotten.My phone lit up. Cindy had posted again.Nine perfectly curated pics, oozing fake vulnerability.Mom and Dad feeding her peeled grapes like royalty.Andrew beside her, tucking her hair back with that soft smile.And then the kicker—a "family portrait." All of them huddled around fragile little Cindy, grinning like they'd won something.Caption: [The pain is unbearable, but being wrapped in love really can defeat all darkness. Thank you, Mom and Dad. Thank you, my Mr. Todd. Your love pulls me out of the abyss every time.]The comments were all the same, like they'd rehearsed it.Dad: [Sweet girl, get well soon. I'll always protect you.]Mom: [Don't be afraid, Cindy. With me here, you'll always be our precious little one.]Andrew: [Focus on getting better. Everything will be okay.]

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

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

"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