“I’m not a child.” I push her hand away. “And I’m not making promises I can’t keep.”
“Very well.” She stands. “I hope when you grow up, you stop being such an asshole.”
“Excuse me?” My lips part.
The audacity.
“You’re excused, young lady,” she says with a smile as she walks toward the door.
“Simona.” I smile back, the corners of my mouth pulling tight.
“Yeah?” she asks.
“Fuck you,” I say, my smile never fading.
She laughs. “Fuck you, too.”
She opens the door. Just before she leaves, she leans against the frame and turns back to me.
“I know you never asked,” she says, “but I thought it might help that you’ll be in the same house as Judge Harrington, if you want to find your sister.”
My smile fades as I look at her.
“I know you don’t believe in happy endings,” she says, “but you do deserve one. You just have to work for it. Get on their good side, and maybe you’ll find out that something good can come out of…” She exhales and looks around. “All of this.”
“Thanks,” I say, lowering my voice. “The reason I never asked about Sofia is because I know wherever she is, she’s in better hands than I ever was.”
“Okay,” she says. “Your choice.”
She turns and takes a step into the hallway. She looks back once, then walks away without another word.
I don’t hate Simona. She tried her best. I just hate the world. I guard myself so that when I do get attached to someone, it hurts less when they leave. Somehow, I am a magnet for losing people. No one ever stays.
I look down at the hair tie and lift it again, letting it snap against my skin. I bite my lip as my eyes fill with tears.
I am strong.Just asstrongas Icanbe.
I hear a door open down the hallway. Then the sound of lips smacking together. All I can picture is my “newbrother“ and his cheerful little girlfriend making out. It makes me sick. He makes me sick.
I get up fast. As I move toward the door, I hear her giggle as she heads down the stairs. I roll my eyes. Just as I’m about toslam the door shut, he steps in front of it, blocking it with his body.
He is wearing gray sweatpants, nothing else.
My heart starts to race. Something tight curls in my stomach when I see him without a shirt.
What the fuck?
No.
Pull yourself together, Carmen.
I raise a brow and try to push the door closed, but his bare foot stops it.
“What is your problem?” I say, opening the door again.
He lifts a hand and parts his lips, but no words come out.
“Huh?” I knit my brows together. “If you can’t say anything, then get lost.”
