Chapter 5
He looked at me with that particular brand of medical pity reserved for the young and doomed, regret etched into every line of his face.[]
After a cocktail of medications strong enough to sedate a horse, I managed to scrape together just enough energy to reach my destination.[]
Before me stood an ostentatious McMansion, complete with fake columns and gaudy gold trim. Shouting and cursing echoed from inside.[]
As I approached. I spotted a middle–aged couple berating a teenage girl in the driveway.]
“College? You think I’m paying for fucking college? Yeah, I’ve got money, but that’s for my son’s future, not some useless girl! You want an education? How about I educate my fist against your skull!“]]
The woman shoved the girl roughly, ordering her to hand–wash their clothes in the backyard.[]
I turned to leave. This wasn’t what I came for.[]
The shouting abruptly stopped.]
“Hey, miss! You looking for someone?” the man called out.]
I paused, then tossed the jade pendant toward him.[]
He caught it, his eyes lighting up with practiced recognition. “Well, well, well! Isn’t this the jade I gave that ungrateful little bitch years ago? How’d it end up with you? Wait–are you my long–lost daughter?”
The woman rushed over, her face suddenly transformed into a grotesque mask of maternal love. “It must be her! Looks just like her pictures on Twitter! Sweetheart, we’re your real parents! We don’t need you to support us in our old age or anything, but a quick hundred grand would really help your brother’s college fund!“[]
“Sure,” I replied calmly.
I immediately transferred ten thousand dollars as a “deposit.“]
They eyed me with greedy calculation. “Daughter dear, you really got dealt a bad hand–born a girl and all. We’ve always preferred boys, you know. Can’t help our preferences!”
I smiled coldly. “Impersonating my parents to extort money? I’ve already called the police. Fraud carries a minimum five–year sentence. Hope prison food agrees with you both.
They exchanged panicked glances before dropping to their knees.
“Please, miss! We’re just poor folks doing what we were paid to do! Don’t call the cops!“]
“Tell me everything, and maybe I won’t.“]
As I suspected, they were actors hired by Wes to placate me.[]
The entire charade was designed to validate Rosalie’s story and send me running back to the Blake family like an obedient puppet.]]>
Wes’s intelligence network was impressive–my phone rang less than ten minutes later.
“I was only trying to protect you,” he insisted. “You have zero emotional connection to these people. Even if you found your real parents, what then? Would you abandon the Blakes? Abandon me? Move in with total strangers?”
“Yes, I don’t have concrete proof that everything Rosalie says is true, but think logically–what five–year–old could invent such elaborate lies? If they hadn’t damaged her so deeply, why would she harbor such intense resentment?“[]
“Come home, Willow. Stop obsessing over meaningless searches. I’ll pick you up at the airport. Besides, tomorrow’s engagement party requires your presence.“]
My heart twisted sharply with pain.[]
I remembered years ago when he’d chase after me, solemnly promising he would never lie to me, never do anything to make me unhappy.
I pretended skepticism, but I’d bet my entire life on those promises.]
“Wes, we can’t go back to how things were.“]
After those words, I ended the call
He called back obsessively. Finding the constant ringing irritating, I blocked his number.]
About thirty minutes later, Rosalie called
“You pathetic bitch,” she spat. “Pulling this dramatic stunt right before my wedding–you just can’t stand seeing me happy, can you?“]
Tury Chose Blood Over Love Now They Cry at My GRAVE
3.5
Chapter 5
“Fine! Since you’re so desperate to meet those worthless pieces of trash, go ahead! They’re in Southview Cemetery! Visit them and then do us all a favor and join them!”
Barely minutes later, Mom called too.
“What the hell did you say to Wes? He’s threatening to cancel tomorrow’s engagement party! You know Rosalie has psychological issues–we’re doing all this to help her heal. She’s not like you, raised with every advantage, healthy and privileged. Why can’t you show a little compassion?“[]
I couldn’t help but argue back: “None of this is my fault. Why should I accommodate her irrational demands?“]
“Because you’re the beneficiary of this whole situation! Don’t you get it? Even if you personally did nothing wrong, you’ve enjoyed everything that should have been Rosalie’s. Your innocence doesn’t erase your privilege.“]
I never expected to hear such words from the woman who raised me.[]
Everyone always said I was the apple of my parents‘ eye. They even refused to have another child, fearing it would dilute the love reserved for me.]
Now her words lodged in my throat like fishbones.
“I’m sorry I’ve been such a disappointment,” I replied quietly. “Don’t worry–I won’t be competing with Rosalie for anything ever again.“[]
