Chapter 8X
“Please… Mr. Sykes! Miss Presley! I’m begging you–just let us go! We’re just trying to survive out here! We’ve got wives and kids at home!“%
The few thugs dropped to their knees, heads banging against the floor as they pleaded.
After hearing their confession, Orville’s face twisted into something dark. He glared at me for a long moment before speaking.” “Presley. It’s you, wasn’t it? Blairie just got back–how the hell could she already know these lowlifes? This has to be you trying to frame her. You hired them to stage this crap!”
The more he spoke, the more convinced he became of his own ridiculous suspicion. His face flushed with rage as he jabbed a finger at me.S
“Do you even have some self–respect, Presley? Do you still think you’re some respectable heiress? You actually staged your own, assault- just to smear Blairie? You’re sick!”
Then he turned to my father.”
“Dad, I really did love Presley once… I thought she was gentle and kind. But look at her now–this is disgusting. Please, talk some sense into her. If she won’t apologize and beg Blairie for forgiveness… I can’t stay with her anymore.”
Blaire chimed in then, tears streaking down her face in perfect little sobs.
“Presley… I know you’ve never liked me. I told you–I know I messed up before. Hit me, yell at me–I don’t care. But how could you throw away your own reputation like this? What about Dad? What about Orville? How are they supposed to face anyone after this?“W
My father’s face looked stormy now, so I stepped forward, my voice sharp and cold.”
“Call the cops. If I staged all this like you’re saying–then let the cops be the judge.“W
Uncle Olf stepped up beside me, placing himself protectively between me and my so–called husband, my father, and my sister.
“I’m with you, Presley. We’re getting to the bottom of this today. I want to know who’s got the guts to lay a hand on my niece! I’ll make sure they get a taste of a police baton before this is over!“}]
1 looked at Uncle Olf through watery eyes. It felt so good to have someone stand by me.}]
If it weren’t for him, even if I’d gone to the cops, Dad and Orville would’ve smoothed things over–paid a fine, swept it under the rug. I wasn’t physically hurt, after all.
My father scoffed, his face like stone.
“Fine. Call the cops. I’d love to see who’s bold enough to frame my Blairie.”
Blaire panicked the second she saw me reach for my phone. She lunged forward, trying to snatch it away.”
“Presley! Don’t! What are you doing?! If this blows up, Dad’s the one who’ll be humiliated!“}
Then she turned desperately to our father.
“Dad.. it’s just a few false accusations. I don’t mind! Don’t let this become a joke for outsiders. Let’s just drop it, please?”
Orville stepped in then, wrapping an arm around her, his eyes full of pity.
“Blairie, you’re incredible. So understanding, so selfless. I was blind before–I resented you. But now I see… You’re the one who’s truly worthy of being my wife.”
Blaire tilted her chin slightly, looking delicate and tragic all at once.
“Orville… I used to act out because I loved you too much. But now I understand–real love means letting you be happy and not forcing you. Whatever makes you smile, I’ll support it… even if I have to let you go.”
Watching her acting, I couldn’t help it–I laughed.
But to my father, that was all the proof he needed.}
“Presley!” he spat. “If you don’t apologize to Blairie right here, right now–get out! You’re no longer a part of this family. Don’t you dare ever come back!”
rd already lost all hope in him. But his words still cut deep.
So that was it. In his eyes, only she mattered–his mistress’s daughter. He’d forgotten everything he once promised my mom.
At that moment, Uncle Olf put a firm arm around me, his gaze steady and searching M
“Presley… just one question. Do you still want to stay here and let them keep doing this to you, or do you want to come with me?”
I turned to my father who was glaring at me.
And then i glanced at Orville, who was looking at Blaire like she hung the stars.
Then I looked back at Uncle Off–and made my choice
