“I know exactly what you want to ask me, and my answer is yes—I’ve known about your plans from the start! Why? Because I don’t trust either of you!” I said, as though preparing for hanle against my parents “This is the final day I will set foot in this house. 1, Isabella Prescott, am cutting all ties with you both!”
The tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I stood tall, unyielding, determined to show them my strength.
”
“Hah! Don’t be ridiculous, Isabellal Have you forgotten? You owe your life to us my father spat, his face reddened
1 didn’t dignify him with a response.
“Isabella..” my mother murmured weakly, trailing after me as I descended the stairs
“Come back here, you ungrateful woman!” my father shouted, his voice echoing through the foyer. He wasn’t done–not that I expected him to accept this humiliation quietly,
I halted and turned to face them. “Mr. Prescott, I have evidence! I declared, pointing to the security camera nestled discreetly at the corner of the ceiling. “Everything has been recorded–or did you forget I have proof of what you’ve done -the wine you drugged. And Mr. Reed’s assault on Charlotte–I have that on tape, too. It wouldn’t take much to use it against you!”
Fear flashed across my father’s face for the first time as he stumbled backward, pointing an accusing finger at me. “Y–your Are you threatening us? I should never have accepted you as our daughter!”
The words that once hurt me now barely affected me. I met his gaze with unwavering resolve. “I don’t want anything to do with you anymore. and I won’t cause trouble unless you give me a reason to. My terms are simple: stay out of my life.”
My father was trembling with rage while my mother, gasping for breath, crumpled to the floor.
“Honey!” my father exclaimed, rushing to catch her. “Call an ambulance!”
Was I a bad daughter for turning my back on them? Perhaps. But my mother had abandoned me long ago, and tonight, she had handed me the very drink meant to destroy me.
Upon hearing Lucas had canceled the wedding, the guests‘ attention shifted to my mother, but most had already left.
In the chaos, I scanned the gathering for Grayson, but he was nowhere in sight. My chest tightened with unease as 1 approached the parking area.
His sleek black car caught my eye; its headlights flashed briefly, indicating he was already inside. Despite everything, my lips curved into a weary smile.
I was halfway across the parking lot when Charlotte’s voice pierced the night like a sharp blade.
“Isabella!”
I turned just in time to see Charlotte storming toward me, her hand raised to grab my hair. But before she could touch me, Grayson’s bodyguard intercepted her, gripping her arms firmly.
“Let go of me!” she shrieked, struggling to break free from his grip. “I swear I’ll kill that woman“”
Her cheeks puffed up from Mrs. Murphy’s earlier slap, and her mascara was smeared all over, making her book entirely out
of control.
My jaw clenched as fury rose in my chest. After everything that had happened, I was on the edge of adding to Mrs. Murphy’s slap.
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Chapter 55
Then, I heard the backseat door of Grayson’s car open. He emerged from the shadows, his tall frame moving purposefully
toward me
“She’s not worth it,” he murmured, his voice steady and calm. He gently took my trembling hands, pressing them to his lips His thumb brushed across my cheek, and only then did I realize I was crying.
“Mr. Blake, stay out of this! Don’t interfere!” Charlotte spat, still oblivious to the situation unraveling before her
“What happened?” Grayson asked me gently, ignoring her entirely.
My voice came out in a whisper. “I want to go home…”
“Shhh.. I’m here.” He pulled me into his embrace, pressing my cheek to his chest. When he kissed my forehead, I felt everything melt away, the chaos around us disappearing
Charlotte froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. It was as if she finally grasped what she was witnessing.
“H–he–Grayson Blake is your husband?” she stammered, her voice cracking.
I lifted my chin, summoning courage I didn’t know I had. I had never intended for my cousin to discover my secret like this, but now there was no going back.
A harsh laugh burst from her throat.
“What is this? So I was right all along–he’s been obsessed with you! You were just seventeen, Isabella! Do you think I forgot! Thank God I told Uncle and the school administration!”
Her words hit me hard. I looked at Grayson, my heart racing.
“What do you mean?”
Before I could process my thoughts, the wail of approaching sirens cut through our confrontation. We both turned toward the sound. Grayson quickly took the chance to guide me toward his car and helped me inside.
“Grayson, what did she mean by that? Did Charlotte do something to you before?” I asked.
“Charlotte has always been” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “She’s skilled at twisting situations to hurt others. At making accusations.”
“She bullied you too?”
“Don’t let it bother you. That was a long time ago. But you… are you okay?”
I shook my head, feeling the weight of the moment. “I just severed ties with my parents. Told Dad I’d go to the authorities if he didn’t back off.”
The sadness was there, but I had to stay strong. “I have evidence of tonight’s events.
That night, Grayson stayed by my side. By morning, I’d gathered enough strength to walk into the SummitGlow office, head held high
In the afternoon, the police called, inviting me to the station. Sophia came with me for support. When we arrived, I saw a woman being interrogated by the police.
“I swear, I didn’t know anything! A middle–aged woman just asked to use my account. Offered twenty thousand dollars–sid she needed to send money to her family. I felt sorry for her; that’s why I helped her.”
“You didn’t doubt her a bit the officer asked.
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Chapter 55
The woman scratched her head, clearly on the verge of tears.
“LI didn’t even think about it”
But I was already stunned the moment I saw her face, instantly recognizing the woman sitting in the hot seat–Jake’s wife
