I waited.
And waited.
Two whole days passed before Nathan finally called back.
The second I picked up, my heart pounded with urgency. “Nathan, I was the one who saved you back then. It wasn’t Trinity. She lied to you, I—”
Before I could finish, Nathan cut me off, his voice low and cold. “Did you go through my phone?”
The anticipation in my chest calmed down, little by little, turning into ice. I said nothing.
Nathan continued, “You read my messages with Trinny and made up this story to deceive me? You think I’d
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Chapter 5
+25 BONUS
actually believe you?
“Tegan, stay in your lane. I’ll still marry you. We’ve been together for eight years. I’ll do it out of decency. I owe you that much. But if you dare slander Trinny again, I can’t promise I’ll tolerate you anymore.”
Even after the call ended, I didn’t move.
I still held the phone against my ear, frozen in place.
It was the height of summer, yet I felt like I had fallen into a frozen lake. Pain struck me like a tidal wave. The phone slipped from my fingers, crashing onto the floor. I curled up into myself.
Through the haze, I thought I saw Trinity walking toward me. I reached out, desperate to grab her, but she kicked my hand away.
The pain worsened. When the wave of agony finally ebbed, I looked up and saw her clearly.
Trinity.
Her makeup was flawless, and her gown was sleek and elegant. She looked down at me with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Tegan, you’ve always had a better life than me. We came out of the same womb, but you were born strong and healthy while I was weak and sickly.
“Mom and Dad adored you. When you aced your tests, they bragged about you to everyone, calling you their pride and joy.
“Dad used to sneak you out for food while Mom stayed home, making me plain porridge. Why did they always favor you over me? I hated you for it! I wanted all their love for myself!”
I clutched my stomach. I hadn’t taken my medication in days, and my condition was worsening. The pain was so sharp that I couldn’t even speak.
I wanted to tell Trinity that when she aced her tests, Mom and Dad had been just as proud. If they could have, they would have shouted it from the rooftops.
