Chapter 50
Chapter 50
Even though he’d taken this beating because of her, he figured he could be generous and forgive her, if only she’d act nice, step up, and apologize first.
But then he thought, ‘She bullied Lydia so badly that she landed in the hospital. That can’t just be swept under the has to apologize to Lydia.
rug.
She
Lucas lifted his chin, letting out a cold snort. “If you’re truly sorry and apologize to me, I might let slide the fact that you manipulated Grandpa into hitting me. But you have to apologize to Lydia-”
Before he could finish, Emily turned and walked away, not sparing him a single glance. Her eyes were glacial, no trace of the care they used to share, like he was just a stranger.
Lucas froze. Then, after a tense moment, he snapped, “Wait!” He lunged forward, grabbing her wrist.
The sudden touch shocked Emily. She recoiled instinctively, slamming against the wall behind her. Her eyes went wide, locked on him with a razor-sharp intensity.
Lucas scowled. “What are you still putting on an act for? I said I’m not mad about you setting me up. Don’t push your luck.”
He glared at her, disgust dripping from his words. “I never thought you’d be such a master manipulator. You fooled Grandpa, got me decked, and got Dad chewed out-real nice.
“Can’t you be more like Lydia? She was weak, and you terrified her so badly she landed in the hospital. Even then, she wanted to come see you. She would’ve dragged herself over if I hadn’t stopped her. But you? Not a shred of remorse.”
Emily let out a bitter, almost laugh-like sound. “Mr. Bennett, you keep going on about Ms. Bennett-how her poor health and fear put her in the hospital. But what about Grandpa Charles?
“The doctors said he can’t take strong emotions. He fainted right in front of you, and he’s in this hospital, too. Have you gone to see him? Hell, since you showed up, have you even asked how he’s doing once?”
any
of
‘It’s fine if they don’t come to see me. I’m not their blood, after all. But Grandpa Charles is their family. How can they not care at all?’ she thought, anger burning in her chest.
Lucas went quiet. Of course they’d been worried when Charles collapsed. Even though they hadn’t lived with him the past two years, they had kept tabs on his health, checking in with his doctor all the time.
Charles’s health had been on the decline ever since he fell two years back, but nothing too serious. But this time, no one saw this sudden collapse coming. Lucas figured, if he was being honest, it was all Emily’s fault.
He found his voice, dripping with self-righteousness. “If you hadn’t played the victim to manipulate Grandpa’s sympathy, he never would’ve gotten so worked up that he passed out!
“Grandpa always loved you, and this is how you repay him? Using him to make Lydia look bad. You drove him to this. Emily, you’re nothing but poison.”
Emily stared at him, stunned. She knew the Bennetts always took Lydia’s side, no matter what. But she never guessed that even when it came to Charles, their only concern was still Lydia’s interests.
Suddenly, she didn’t have the energy to argue—it wouldn’t change anything. “Think whatever you want,” she mumbled, turning to walk away.
That I-don’t-care tone lit a fire under Lucas. “Hey! Who said you could walk off?” He lunged forward, his face contorted with fury. In that moment, she was less a childhood companion and more a sworn enemy.
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Chapter 50
His hand was inches from her arm when a voice boomed down the hallway. “Stop!