Semua Bab I Tried To Be A Good Girl, But My Past Won’t Stay Burried: Bab 31 - Bab 40

Ron's voice stopped me as I pulled my work shirt off and slipped into something more comfortable. "Hey, why're you getting off work early again today?" "Things are getting busy at home and I'm helping to fix it. I'll see ya," I said, patting his shoulder before he could pry any further. "So annoying." He rolled his eyes. "What are you tired of? I've been tired of it for two days," Casey huffed as she stormed past. She looked like hell—no makeup, oily hair, the telltale signs of overnight shifts catching up to her. "What's up her ass?" Ron muttered. "Not my problem. See ya," I waved and left before either of them tried dragging me into their misery. *** The street market was alive with the usual noise—hawkers shouting their specials, kids weaving between legs, the smell of fried dough mixing with spices. I adjusted the bag slung over my shoulder and scanned the stalls until one particular call rang out like it was meant for me. "Cherries! Fresh cherries! Kids' favorite!" Cher

I was sick of it. Sick of every whispered word that brushed past my ears, sick of the way people twisted everything Kandy did into something ugly. Like I was really treating her "lover" in secret, bullied into it, humiliated. Nonsense. She's aggressive, sure, but I've never once seen her strike first. She only ever fights back. So who the hell did she piss off this time? "...Bitch! You did this!" Mr. Davis's voice boomed down the hall from his hospital room. I froze, halfway to leaving for the day. That wasn't anger—that was fury. "What?" Casey's voice followed. Wait. He was yelling at Casey? For once, she was getting chewed out? I should've just minded my own business, but hell—Casey was always in my business. Maybe I could afford to give her a taste of her own medicine. "Don't play dumb with me. Except for a vindictive, petty bitch like you, who else would spread rumors about me and Ms. Martin?" Mr. Davis snapped. "And do what if I did? And what I said was the truth anyway! Y

Will ran into the room just as I was tugging my shirt down, hair still wet from the shower. Before I could roll my eyes, he spun me around like I was some porcelain doll. "Are you ok? I heard what happened to you from Tammy and stopped someone from jumping." Fuck. Tammy needed to learn to shut her mouth. I wasn't about to feed into Will's panic, so I just said, "Yeah." "Could you think about yourself first a bit more?" His voice cracked. "Other people can do the rescue—don't put yourself in harm's way." "The water isn't the problem here, it's Casey," I muttered. "No matter who it is, even if it's me, you can't just jump into a situation without thinking. If something happens to you, what do you want me to do?" he asked, his brows pulled tight. "Well, I can't just stand by and watch someone die." I scoffed, waving it off—until I caught him sniff. Really sniff. His eyes were puffy, his jaw trembling like he'd been barely holding himself together. My stomach twisted. "Were you cry

"What good thing happened to you?" Tammy asked, squinting at me while I fried eggs and flipped pork slices like it was the easiest thing in the world. "Why're you so happy?" "You wouldn't understand," I smirked, maybe a little too smug. "I wouldn't?" she shot back. Her eyes lit up. "It must be related to that baby thing your dad said. Did you two finally decide to make some babies last night?" I can't exactly tell her Will slept in another room like a coward. "Of course we agreed not to do any of that stuff now. So we're in perfect sync." "Seriously? You guys are going to push the limits, aren't you?" Tammy leaned against the counter, arms folded. "It was mutual agreement," I said flatly. "Wait, Kandy, don't you want kids one day? You used to fantasize about having one calling after you every day." "Yeah, but I wasn't expanding my business then. I don't want to right now. If I were to have a kid, after I give birth and get back to work I won't be able to look after them properl

"So I brought you a present today while we were in the city," I said eagerly, handing Kandy the bag. Lilian had said I had good taste, and since I knew all of Kandy's measurements, I was confident. "Try and see if you like it." Kandy's smile spread quick and mischievous before she rushed off to change. A few minutes later, the door creaked open and she stepped out. My chest tightened. The red dress poured over her like fire spun into fabric, long and flowing in a way that followed her every move but never clung too tightly. It brushed the floor with each step, the hem whispering like flames licking the ground. The color made her skin glow warmer, and her dark hair framed her face like midnight contrasting against embers. The neckline was simple but perfect, hinting at strength more than fragility, and when she moved, the fabric swayed with a confidence that belonged to her alone. She didn't just wear the dress—she commanded it, like it was another blade at her hip, an extension of h