Chapter 5

With a few dismissive words, he'd sealed the bracelet's fate.

A flash of smug triumph crossed Chloe's eyes.

"That's right! I really love this bracelet. Just name your price. I'll pay whatever you want."

But I stubbornly shook my head. "I don't want money. I just want my bracelet back."

Asher glared, his voice sharp. "Give you an inch, and you'll take a mile, won't you? If you're not going to take the money, then get out!"

Chloe grabbed his hand, her voice soft and placating. "Asher, don't be mad. I'll talk to her."

She walked closer, leaning in to whisper in my ear.

"Don't think that just because I was gone, you could play sweet for Asher, or hook up with Finn to be his girlfriend, and replace me. I'm always going to be the most important person to them."

"You want the bracelet? Fine. If you genuinely get down on your knees and beg me, I might consider giving it back."

My breath hitched, a silent gasp caught in my throat.

It was the only thing my grandmother had left me. Thinking of her kind, gentle face, my heart felt like it was being brutally squeezed by an invisible hand.

Slowly, deliberately, I bent my knees, and knelt down right there, in front of everyone.

"Please, give it back to me."

Asher and Finn just sat on the couch, watching with cold indifference, making no move to stop me.

"You really are pathetic, aren't you? You think getting on your knees and playing the victim will work? Who are you trying to emotionally manipulate here?"

Chloe tilted her head, her eyes glinting with a chilling malice.

"Okay then. Here."

The words had barely left her lips when she released her grip.

"Oops. My bad. Slipped."

She'd done it on purpose. Absolutely.

My chest heaved, my vision blurring with rage, and I slapped her so hard my palm stung.

The next second, I was brutally shoved, sent sprawling right onto the scattered pieces.

Finn scooped Chloe into his arms, comforting her, gently blowing on her reddening cheek.

Asher's face was thunderous. "Blair! How dare you hit her in front of me? Apologize to Chloe, right now!"

His words were like a thousand knives, slicing my heart to ribbons.

When I stayed silent, he continued to mock me. "Do you actually think that pathetic bracelet from a dead person is worth all this? How much longer are you going to be a psycho about it?"

My whole body trembled, and then, unable to take another second of it, I slapped him.

"Asher! It's not a worthless piece of junk! It's the most important thing I have, and you had absolutely no right to give it away!"

"She deliberately shattered it. I'm not apologizing."

Asher, his face a mask of fury, stomped right on the scattered pieces. "I actually felt a shred of pity for you. You really know how to push my buttons, don't you? So invested in this damn bracelet, huh?"

"Hold her down! Make her press her forehead to these broken pieces! She's not leaving until she's done it ninety-nine times!"

Someone quickly pinned me down, forcing my head to repeatedly hit the sharp shards.

A sharp, agonizing pain radiated from my forehead, but it was nothing compared to the searing pain in my heart.

In moments, warm blood trickled down my cheeks, splattering onto the floor.

My face was a mess of blood, and I was barely conscious through the pain.

Asher felt an inexplicable tightness clawing at his chest.

"Do you finally get it?"

I didn't utter a sound.

He scoffed. "Keep going. Until she understands her place."

Finn suddenly spoke. "Asher, she's going to get seriously hurt if this keeps up."

Asher just casually waved his hand. "What, Finn? Feeling sorry for her? Don't forget who took those photos."

Just then, Chloe suddenly slumped, collapsing dramatically.

Finn scooped her up without a second thought, not even sparing me a glance as he turned and walked out.

His face was etched with a panic I'd never seen him display, not once, for me.

Asher looked at me, a flicker of irritation in his eyes.

"See? Finn never cared about you. Don't dream about what isn't yours. You don't deserve it."

"You lay a finger on Chloe, and you'll answer to all of us. She's family."

After they left, I dragged myself to the hospital to get patched up.

I was just stepping back out onto the street when Professor Sterling called.

"Blair, we might have to leave earlier than planned."

Back at the hospital, Asher found himself feeling an odd, unsettling restlessness.

Back at the hospital, an odd, gnawing unease had settled in Asher's gut.

He shook the feeling off and walked into Chloe's room, only to find her beaming, phone in hand.

"I still can't believe it! " she chirped. "Asher, Finn...you actually made Blair disappear. All for me."

The instant the words left her mouth, both men's expressions hardened.