Chapter Five
Chapter Five
I was always the second option, the afterthought. It should have felt better that I belonged to a different family, but it hurt twice as much.
“I’m sorry, Lena. I… I didn’t mean to overwhelm you. I just thought you deserved to know,” Asher said as he rushed at me, wiping off the tears that fell down my
cheeks.
I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t think. My chest tightened as tears rolled down my cheeks. Everything felt like it was crashing down all at once.
I clutched the sheets, holding on like they could somehow hold me together. Asher didn’t say a word. He just sat there, his hand wrapped around mine. It was warm and steady like he was trying to keep me from falling apart.
“I heard she’s awake,” a familiar voice
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Chapter Five
approached us.
I looked to confirm and there he was. My mex, David Barton.
Felt “Where in heaven’s name am I?”
me
ht vo
aid as
nk
tears
“Hi, Lena. I brought you lunch. I was so happy when I heard you were awake. I
hope you can eat,” he said with a smile as
he placed the food on the table next to my bed.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He still had the purest and most genuine smile I had
ever seen. I didn’t expect to see him again, in m especially since he and his family relocated
shi
g on
ethe
at the
It wa
right after college
“Lena, meet David, my best friend and business partner. I’m sure you two have
already met,” Asher said, forcing me to
take my eyes off David.
to “Yes, we have,” David said.
For the first time in a while, I felt pure, iliunfiltered joy.
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5
rm and ther
en’s name
ir Five
vid…” my voice came out in a
ber. I hadn’t said his name in years,
still felt natural on my tongue.
mile softened. “It’s been a long
Lena.”
ought you’t believe you‘ re here,” I eard you wehed, searching his face for any sign
was dreaming.
t,” he said he
od on the taon the
huckle was light and easy. “I could he same about you. When I pulled you y eyes offeyes
f the pool, I was scared that you might iake it.”
host genuist gen
‘t expect texpect
he andhe and saved me?”
geollege
dded, his gaze was warm and
avid David, mible.
adtner. I’m sure
ether Asher said
yes off David.
have,” Davids
e, it was him. It had always been
vid had looked out for me even
idn’t realize it.
glad I got to you in time,” he st time in awh a brief smile. He was always
joy.
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Chapter Five
Asher leaned back, watching us with a small smile. “I take it you two have a lot to catch up on.”
David nodded. “That we do.”
He turned his attention back to me. “But first, you should eat. You look like you haven’t had a proper meal in days.”
I let out a breathy laugh, shaking my head.
“You haven’t changed.”
“Has her body been found yet? Tell me you have news!” My mom, Mrs. Rashford yelled frantically as she paced back and forth in the living room.
“I’m sorry ma’am, but there has been no trace of her yet,” the voice at the other end of the phone said.
“Shit!” She yelled as she threw her phone
across the room.
Serena just sat by a corner, filing her nails. She seemed very amused.
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“Tell me something, mom. Are you worried about Lena‘ s safety or your image? Because from what I remember, you were rather reluctant to pull her out from the pool,” Serena said as she tried to stifle a laugh.
“You don’t get it, Serena. If she falls into the wrong hands, we‘ re done for. How do I explain that? You know how pitiful Lena can act. It’s already been a week!” Mrs. Rashford kept panicking.
“It’ll be there on the news; One of the Rashford daughters, Blind and left for dead. in her family’s pool…” Serena trailed off, smirking. “how does that sound?”
“Please, relax, mom. We‘ ve always wanted her out of our lives. This is our opportunity. There’s less drama now. We can fully focus on my wedding,” Serena
said.
Even though she was the cause of the problem, she didn’t seem remorseful at
all.
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Are“What if we just pronounce her dead? Or Arrange a funeral for her? After all, a few ren people witnessed her body float in the pull pool. We can do that and move on with our ass lives,” Serena added.
Mrs. Rashford’s frantic pacing slowed. She exhaled sharply and folded her arms, efonconsidering it.
how
Ma we
“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea. I’ll
have someone think of a cover–up story. The last thing I want is unnecessary drama, ews, hot when your dad is expanding his d and mpire,” Mrs. Rashford said with a Serematisfactory smile.
at soun
“We need to do it quickly before my
e‘ ve vedding. I don’t want any scandals, es. Thecause of the scene she caused during our ss drangagement, everyone thinks I stole her edding man. Meanwhile, she’s the thief here,”
erena hissed.
cause You‘ re right. I’ll make the
em rearrangements right away,” Mrs. Rashford
aid.
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Chapter Five
“And before I forget,” she added, inspecting her freshly manicured nails,
“Zack made me Co–CEO of his company. I
mean, what can I say? He knows I’m the perfect choice.”
That was all my mom needed to distract herself. Her face lit up instantly.
“How did it happen? Zack is such an angel!”
Serena‘ s lips curled. “I got pregnant. Something Lena couldn’t do.”
She tilted her head with a smug smile.
“We’re expecting our baby.”
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