Chapter 4
Ryan answered the phone, gave a few half–hearted “uh–huh” and “yeah,” and then hung up.
He reached for my hand. “I’ll call my parents. She’s moving back home.“/
Then his warm lips brushed against my ear. “Come home early tonight, okay? What do you feel like eating? I’ll cook something special–just for you.”
And just like that, a memory hit me.
Back then, he had stormed into a bar and dragged me out, downright furious.
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But even then, he swallowed his anger and held back every harsh word.
Eyes red, voice low, he’d looked at me like he was utterly lost. “Julia, what do you want me to do?”
My throat tightened.
“Alright, Ryan. I’ll give you one more chance.
“But if you lie to me again…”
I dug my nails hard into the palm of his hand.
“I swear, I’ll never forgive you. Not ever.”
He just smiled. Then, I gently kissed my tear–soaked eyelids.
“Julia, I’ve never lied to you. Not once.”
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Chapter 4
That night, I came home. Ryan wasn’t back yet.
Rachel was sitting on the couch, cold and stiff, like some ghost full of
resentment.
“Why haven’t you accepted my following request?”
I barely looked at her. “Why would I?”
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“What did you say to Ryan?” she snapped, stepping in front of me. “Why is he making me move out?!”
I didn’t even bother answering her.
But suddenly, like something in her just snapped, she grabbed a vase and hurled it at me.
The heavy glass smashed against my forehead. Pain exploded behind my eyes. A high–pitched ringing filled my ears. Rose thorns raked down my cheek and arm, slicing through my skin as they fell.
And right then, the door burst open–Ryan had arrived.
Rachel snatched up a shard of broken glass and pressed it to her wrist, sobbing like her soul was breaking. “I just wanted to apologize! Why do you hate me this much? Do you really want me to die so you can be happy?”
Ryan’s eyes went wide, pure panic. “Rachel!”
“Ryan.” Rachel shook her head like she couldn’t bear to go on. “I’ve always been the extra one in this family. I’m done getting in the way of your happiness.”
Blood splattered.
Ryan’s face went pale. He looked more terrified than I had ever seen him.
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01-21
Chapter 4
“Don’t say that! I’ll take you to the hospital right now.
her into his arm. pa kad mini phir pada tind
He scooped didn’t even look at me.
That’s when I started to panic.
“Ryan! She slashed her wrist–it had nothing to do with me!”
But he didn’t turn around. Not once.
I slid down the wall and collapsed onto the floor.
It felt like someone had carved straight through my heart with a knife.
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