“I don’t know who got into his head, but he said 1 bullied someone at school. He came at me with scissors like he was actually gonna kill me. If you and Mom don’t come back soon, you might never see me again.”
Jackson had expected Kayla to argue or deny it all. He’d already prepared a lecture.
But the second he saw her looking so pitiful and scared, the words caught in his throat. For a moment, even he wasn’t sure whether Tristian had told the whole truth.
After all, as far as Jackson knew, Kayla might’ve been a little spoiled, but she wasn’t the kind of girl who’d pick on the weak.
Kayla, on the other hand, was smirking in her mind. ‘Yeah, crying gets you what you want. Marianna taught me that one.’
Tristian’s face turned cloudy. He snapped, “Kayla, you’re really asking for it.”
He stared at her, thinking with confusion, ‘What the hell happened to Kayla? She used to be so easy to control. Now she’s flipping the script in front of our parents like she’s some innocent victim. Does she really think she’s the one being wronged?‘
For the first time in his life, Tristian realized he didn’t recognize the sister he’d grown up with.
But Kayla flinched like he’d just struck her, her eyes going red as tears welled up again. Her body trembled like she was barely holding it together.
Bailee Perry, their mother, caught Kayla’s pitiful looks. Her voice rang out through the video call. “Honey, are you okay? What the hell is going on with Tris? Did he hurt you? Hand him the phone. I’m about to tear him a new one.”
Kayla turned toward the camera, flashing Tristian a sweet smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Then she looked back at her mom and gave a small, hesitant shake of her head. “Mom, don’t yell at Tris, okay? You and Dad barely stay at home. I don’t wanna make him mad again. You don’t know just how scared I get.”
Even as the words left her lips, her eyes sparkled with amusement–mocking, almost daring Tristian to lose it.
Tristian’s hands curled into fists at his sides. His face turned almost purple with rage. He opened his mouth to explain, but Bailee didn’t believe a single word.
By the time the call ended, Tristian hadn’t managed to say a damn thing. All he got was a full–on verbal beatdown from Bailee and a tidal wave of frustration crashing down on him.
“Kayla, you know damn well I’m the one who’s suffering, and you’re really gonna spin it like I’m the bad guy?” Tristian shouted at Kayla.
Kayla reached up and wiped a single tear from the corner of her eye. Her expression was all wide–eyed innocence. “Did I lie? Or is it just that you think whoever cries harder must be telling the truth?”
Inside, her thoughts were biting. ‘Marianna did the same. She shed tears, and you trusted everything she said,
910 Tue, Oct 14
Chapter 13
- 56 vouchers
thinking I’m the devil, huh?
“Doesn’t matter what I say, and you’ve already picked your side. You never believed me. So why does it piss you off so much when I pull the same stunt? You have double standards?
Tristian’s eyes bulged. He looked like he might actually explode, His fists trembled, knuckles white, barely keeping himself in check.
His voice was low and deadly. “Kayla, you fooled them for now. But when they come home and see what you’ve done, you’ll get what’s coming”
Kayla blinked innocently, “What are you even talking about? I’m so weak, remember? No way I could take you in a fight.
“You really think Mom and Dad will believe I shaved your hair? Are you trying to pin it on me? You think they will buy that? Good luck with that.”
Tristian’s stomach dropped. Last night, he’d sent the servants away and turned off the living room cameras to keep things private. He hadn’t wanted witnesses. And now, with no proof, there was nothing he could show their parents.
He spat inwardly, ‘Damn it‘
He opened his mouth, then closed it again, totally lost for words.
Kayla saw it all, and it was glorious. She grabbed her backpack and strutted out of the house.
Kayla could feel Tristian’s glare burning into her back, yet it didn’t bother her in the slightest.
Bring it on, Tristian. Let me see what tricks you’ve got left. I can’t wait, she thought, her chin lifted.
But as she walked out the door, a new thought crept into her mind–one that made her uneasy.
AD
