Chapter 25
Andrew, misreading Vincent’s tension as mere seriousness, followed him out into the hallway.
Once the door closed behind them, Vincent cut straight to the point. “Has Emily ever talked to you about her time at St. Gabriel’s?”
Andrew paused, his glasses catching the light. “Why the sudden interest?” His voice carried a note of wariness. After two years of indifference, this unexpected concern from Vincent struck him as suspicious.
He adjusted his glasses. “Vincent, if you hurt Lydia, don’t expect our childhood friendship to survive this.”
Vincent recoiled as if struck. “What? That thing with Emily was over years ago. I was just a kid who didn’t know the difference between friendship and love.” His voice hardened. “There’s only one person I love now, and that’s Lydia.”
Andrew recognized that look-Vincent had worn it years ago when declaring his love for Emily. Now the object of his affection had changed.
Andrew felt an unexplained irritation rising. “You’d better mean every word this time,” he snapped, turning to leave, only to spin back abruptly. His voice dropped to a dangerous low. “Lydia is our family’s treasure. She’s pure goodness. Hurt her, and you’ll answer to me.”
“You have my word,” Vincent said without hesitation. “I’d never fail Lydia.”
Even as he spoke, Vincent caught himself. The phrasing felt familiar-he’d made nearly identical promises once before, back when Emily had been the person they’d both vowed to protect.
That had just been a childish crush. With Lydia, Vincent thought he finally understood real love-the instinct to shield her kindness at all costs. Emily was family to him now, nothing else.
Vincent scowled as he thought, ‘Emily’s always been cruel and manipulative. She deserved those two years. Sure, St. Gabriel’s is a closed school, but they provide food and clothing. What Emily endured was nothing compared to Lydia’s eighteen years of real-world struggle.
Pushing aside his uneasy thoughts, Vincent devoted himself to Lydia’s care, personally ensuring her safe return to the Bennett residence.
When Lucas finally returned and heard what happened, his temper exploded. “That witch dares to torment Lydia the moment she’s back? Where is she? I’ll handle her myself. Don’t you dare stand in my way.”
Emily’s hand stilled on the doorknob at Lucas’s outburst. This was exactly what she’d expected-history repeating itself, just like two years ago.
She’d learned the hard way that explanations only bred more hatred and rejection, ultimately landing her at St. Gabriel’s. The thought of returning to that hellish place made her blood run cold.
Emily drew a steadying breath before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
Lucas, seething at her unexpected return, saw an opportunity to vent his anger. He shoved up his sleeves and charged at her. “You dare show your face here? I’ll teach you-”
But Emily moved quicker. Sidestepping his swing came as naturally as breathing after two years at St. Gabriel’s.
Lucas staggered forward, thrown off balance by both her evasion and his own missed strike. The near-fall only stoked his rage further.
Just as he prepared to retaliate, Emily walked straight past him toward Lydia. “Ms. Bennett,” she said, her voice carefully measured, “I lost control earlier and nearly harmed you. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
1/3
Chapter 25
1
The lessons of the past two years had taken root. Emily remembered all too well how explanations and arguments had only deepened their suspicion of her.
She no longer bothered justifying herself to the Bennetts-their opinion meant nothing now. All she wanted was to be left in peace.
Emily counted on Lydia’s need to maintain her saintly image-this public forgiveness would serve that perfectly.
A stunned silence fell over the room at Emily’s unexpected response-even Lydia seemed momentarily speechless.
Emily tried once more. “Ms. Bennett, please forgive me.”
Discomfort flashed across Lydia’s face before she managed a strained smile. “Of course, I don’t blame you, Emily. I know you didn’t mean it. I won’t-”
“I truly didn’t mean it,” Emily interrupted. “I just want your forgiveness.” She knew better than to let Lydia finish. Given the opportunity, Lydia could twist any situation to make Emily appear at fault.
The heavy silence that followed was punctuated by bewildered stares. This wasn’t the defiant Emily they knew-this was someone actually admitting fault.
Lydia shifted uncomfortably under the collective gaze, her panic rising. She looked toward Lucas-always the quickest to anger-her lips trembling and eyes glistening with unshed tears.
The moment Lucas noticed Lydia’s discomfort, Lucas’s anger reignited instantly.
Emily kept her eyes lowered. “I’ll go back to my room,” she murmured. “I won’t be a disturbance here.”
“Hey, stop!” Lucas moved quickly, seizing Emily’s arm. “You can’t just walk away after bullying Lydia. You think one apology fixes everything?”
Lydia’s voice softened. “Lucas, please. It’s all right.” She bit her lip, the picture of restrained distress.
But her soothing words only fueled his anger. “Don’t worry, Lydia. I’m protecting you today.” His fingers dug into Emily’s arm as his temper flared.
Emily struggled against his grip but couldn’t free herself. She scowled. “I already admitted to pushing Ms. Bennett, just like you wanted. I apologized. What else could you possibly want?”
Frustration burned in Emily’s chest. They were always forcing her to confess to things she hadn’t done and apologize to Lydia. She’d played along this time, but they just wouldn’t let her go.
“You have to…” Lucas started, and then his voice trailed off.
This wasn’t how it usually went. Before, Emily would never admit fault and always fought back. All he’d ever wanted was for her to take responsibility and say sorry to Lydia.
But now that she had, it felt strangely hollow, like punching a pillow with all his might and getting no satisfaction.
Emily tried to pull her arm free. “Please let go, Mr. Bennett,” she said.
Lucas tightened his grip, irritated by Emily’s cold formality. “What’s your problem? Since you came back, it’s been ‘Mr. Bennett’ this, ‘Ms. Bennett’ that. You think pretending not to care will make us pay attention?
“You’re not even sorry about Lydia. This is just another act. Now apologize properly.” He yanked her arm violently, the force brutal enough to wrench it from its socket.
Emily’s shoulder-already dislocated more than once in the past-couldn’t take it. Sweat pricked her forehead. “Let me go!” she snapped.
Lucas ignored her, his fingers digging in.
The pain made her thrash harder. With one sharp twist, she ripped herself loose-only to stumble forward and crash
toward the coffee table.
