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Chapter 252
Chapter 252
Every single word fit her perfectly.
Ruby had always lived in a different world from mine. Even as a kid, she was a pro at reading people and going wherever the wind blew. She could turn on the waterworks in front of Theo, looking absolutely heartbroken. But the second she saw Patricia, her whole vibe changed–suddenly she was all claws, like she wanted to tear Patricia apart.
Patricia’s hands clenched tight on her knees. Her voice burst out, furious. “Who told you to come here? Get out!”
“Oh, so you’re here to watch me fall apart, huh?” Ruby snapped back. “Patricia, you happy now? Is this what you wanted? Does it make you feel better seeing me like this, just as miserable as you once were?”
Theo, who’d been crouched in front of her, went still. As Ruby’s shouts echoed in the room, memories of a fight with Patricia from three years ago flashed through his mind. Suddenly, he got it–people really do change after life turns upside down.
He glanced back at Patricia, and even that tiny look felt like a knife to Ruby. Whatever warmth had been in the room a moment ago was gone.
Ruby shoved at Theo. “Get out. Both of you. Just leave.”
Tina, probably because Theo was there, didn’t go off on Patricia like she wanted. Instead, she put on her most polite face and basically “escorted” them out.
“Patricia, you know you’re the last person Ruby wants to see right now.”
Patricia shouldn’t have come. If she hadn’t, maybe Ruby could have milked Theo’s sympathy for all it was worth. Maybe the two of them would’ve still had a shot.
Patricia just smirked. “So thieves only care about what they can get, huh?”
“I thought Ruby wanted everything I had. I mean, being a cripple is part of the deal–doesn’t she want
that too?”
“Don’t cross the line, Patricia,” Tina warned, barely holding back her own anger.
Patricia just laughed, sharp and bright like a poppy in the sun. She took a step closer to Tina, dropped her voice to a near–whisper. “Wow, Ms. Klotz, so you do know what ‘too far‘ means? Funny, you and Ruby sure didn’t mind crossing that line when it was me you were hurting.”
She leaned in, her words soft but cutting. “Didn’t Ruby tell you who made her like this, Tina?”
As Patricia stepped away, Tina’s shock was written all over her face. Panic flickered in her eyes. She didn’t even look at Patricia or Theo–she just hurried back into the VIP room.
Theo was left standing next to Patricia, staring at her, barely able to keep his emotions in check. Patricia was just too beautiful–so bright and bold, like a red rose you couldn’t look away from.
Back in high school, she’d always come first in the campus beauty rankings, winning by hundreds of votes. Everyone agreed she was stunning. And with the Martin family’s money and reputation,
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Chapter 252
Patricia just had this natural grace and class, but she never acted stuck–up. Everyone wanted to be her friend–guys and girls both.
So whenever anyone even mentioned Ruby, the first thing that popped into people’s heads was
Patricia.
“Ruby? Oh, you mean the beauty queen’s little sister, right?”
That line followed Ruby all through school, right up until Patricia’s parents died. After that, Patricia left Riverdale, and Ruby was left stuck in someone else’s shadow. That kind of pain is hard to put into words.
“What did you say to her?” Theo asked quietly.
Patricia shot him a sideways look, her tone pure sarcasm. “Mr. Newton, do you really think we’re close enough to chit–chat?”
“Stay away from me. Or I can’t promise I won’t make you both regret it.”
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