Astrid’s shocked into silence. I know my sister, and I can tell exactly when her mind starts going into overdrive. To be fair, I do know she’s jealous of Sophia, but I don’t think she’d marry Sawyer just to try and become a Sloane. She hurt me, so I’ll do everything to hurt her back, too.
“That’s not why I married him,” her voice drops lower. “I love him, Soren. I’m so sorry for hurting you, and I’ll do everything in my power to earn your forgiveness, but I love him. Just like you love Sophia.”
I scoff. “I don’t love her.”
“Sure you don’t,” Astrid rolls her eyes. “That’s probably why you got her that sapphire set, huh? Because you don’t love her?”
“Why don’t you focus on your husband and your own life instead of prying into mine?” I snap. “You did something stupid, and you got your ass handed to you for a reason. You’re an adult, and you made the decision to marry him. Mom and Dad being disappointed with your choices is a consequence. Just like it’s a consequence that I’m not going to forgive you, Astrid. Not for a very long time.”
Hurt flashes her eyes, and she takes a small step back. “There’s nothing I can do to earn your forgiveness, huh?”
“No,” I say without missing a beat. “There’s nothing you can do, Astrid.”
“Okay,” she swallows, and I see tears forming in her eyes. “Butif you need anything, I’ll always be here for you.”
“I don’t need it,” I snap. “I need you to leave me the fuck alone and never speak to me again. God, Sophia clearly didn’t beat you enough if you’re this adamant about getting on my nerves still.”
“Astrid,” a voice calls out from behind her, and when she turns her head over her shoulder, I groan. Sawyer approaches her, looking at me with disdain in his eyes, not even bothering to conceal it. “Is everything alright here?”
“Why? Are you going to do something about it?”
“Soren,” Astrid pleads, then turns to her husband. “Everything’s okay.”
“You better watch how you speak to my wife,” Sawyer says, and the threat makes me giddy with excitement.
“Yeah?” I lean back, grinning. “Or what?”
“Or I’ll—”
“Oh, you’ll what?” I interrupt. “Come on, I’m getting suspenseful here. What is the great Sawyer Sloane going to do to me if I disrespect his wife, hm?”
Seeing anger on his face is all the fun I need for tonight. I’ve had quite a few drinks, but not enough to make me too drunk. If he wants to fight, I’ll knock his damned teeth out.
“I’m going to put you in your fucking place.”
“How fun,” I chuckle. “Do it, then.”
Sawyer pauses. “Pardon?”
“Go ahead,” I shrug. “Put me in my place. Or are you too scared to do it here, where your parents are watching? From what I’ve heard, you’re treading on thin ice as it is. So, go ahead and put me in my place, I’d love to see it.”
But of course, the little pussy doesn’t do it.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Lilaand Grace aren’t shy about staring across the cafeteria where Soren’s sitting with Cassia, glued to his side. They’re with his friends, and somehow, Kenzo seems on edge, and Aiden is too tense. That’s all I’m able to see before forcing myself to look away and try to act unbothered.
It’s been a week since the wedding party, and Soren hasn't tried to contact me, not even once. I’d lie if I said that I took the mature approach and just let go of it because I didn’t. I got drunk, and I was prepared to confront him then and there. Thankfully, Grace was still sober and held me back from embarrassing myself in public.
But it fucking hurts.
I’m not the person who’d ever beg for anyone’s attention, or love, so texting him or calling him after seeing him with Cassia was never even an option. But it does hurt. He acted so differently only a week and a half ago, and look where we are now — right back to square one.
“Why don’t you ask Kenzo about all of this?” Avalon asks,looking at me. She’s the only one not blatantly staring at the other table, while Grace and Lila are completely unbothered that they’ve been caught staring more than once.
“Why would I do that?” I scoff, but the ache in my chest seems to worsen. “Soren’s clearly preoccupied, and at this point, I’m over it. I don’t want to know anything.”
Avalon sees right through my lies, her hand coming to rest on top of mine, giving it a firm squeeze. I feel like crying all the time, and whenever I’m alone in my dorm, I let it all out. It hurts because on some deeper level, I always knew I shouldn’t trust Soren with my heart.
