I held my face, devastated.
号
I knew my parents favored Brittany, but I
never thought they’d blame me for Brittany’s
mistakes.
“I didn’t call the cops! I said I was leaving.
Whatever happens here has nothing to do
with me!”
“I don’t care if you marry into the
Montgomerys or end up on the street. It’s not
my problem.”
“Mom, Dad, I’m your daughter too! Why do you always take Brittany’s side?”
“You kicked me out! Now you want me to
take the fall? No way!”
Dad’s chest heaved, and he raised his hand
again.
“Ungrateful brat! We’ve fed and clothed you
all these years, you waste of space!”
The police intervened.
“There’s been a misunderstanding; she didn’t
call us. It has nothing to do with her.”
Mom ignored them.
“How could it not be her? Who else would
く
want to see us fail?”
“She’s been jealous of Brittany her whole life.
Nothing’s ever good enough for her. She’s
always resented us all. It’s as if she came to
our home to take everything!”
Brittany chimed in.
“Yeah! It wasn’t me who drugged Blake! She
gave him the drink. I’m just being a good
sister by taking the blame. But she still
arrested me.”
“She’s jealous because Blake wants me and
she’s the one who called the cops!”
The neighbors felt bad for me.
“That poor kid’s always been mature. Her
<
clothes were always Brittany’s hand–me-
downs. Even if they’re both daughters, I’ve never seen such parents!”
“She wouldn’t do that. You can see who the
real culprit is. How scary.”
My parents ignored them.
My heart broke in that moment.
I grabbed my suitcase, ready to walk away.
But Dad grabbed my arm, snatching the
suitcase and throwing it on the ground.
My clothes scattered everywhere.
“Where do you think you’re going? You’re not
going anywhere until this is fixed!”
“Get in the cop car and go make your sister’s
bail! So, she can go on her date!”
The police tried to speak, but Dad cut them
off.
Just then, a Cullinan pulled up.
Blake’s assistant got out.
Brittany’s eyes lit up, and she waved.
“That’s me! Blake sent you to pick me up,
right? Let’s go. I’m ready.
The assistant gave her a weird look.
“Ma’am, I think you have me mistaken. I’m
here for Riley.”
<
Everyone froze.
Even I was stunned.
Had he found out?
I shivered, my fingers curling in on
themselves.
I thought of blackmailing Blake.
“Me? I don’t think so. You must have the
wrong person.
“I don’t know Blake…”
Brittany was furious.
“Liar! I knew you wanted Blake! You are
shameless!”
<
She lunged at the assistant.
“There must be a mistake. Blake texted me
and said he was sending someone. But my
sister got jealous and called the cops. Can
you tell them there’s been a mistake?”
“She’s the one who spiked his drink. It had
nothing to do with me!”
My parents were frantic.
“Blake loves our Brittany! She’s going to be
his wife. And she’s carrying his baby! It’s his
only grandson! How could she go to jail?”
The assistant lost patience, shoving her away.
“Carrying Blake’s baby? Don’t make me
laugh. Blake hasn’t even met you. Be careful
<
with your words! Everyone knows Blake is engaged to a Reynolds daughter.”
“I think you’re mistaken. The people picking
you up work at the jail.‘
“The security footage shows you spiking his
drink. It’s been turned over to the police.
That’s why they’re here.”
Silence fell.
Mom’s face was ashen, and her knees gave
out.
Brittany stared in disbelief.
The neighbors whispered, disgusted.
“She drugged Blake? She’s insane!”
<
“Drugged him, trying to sleep with him, and
then had the nerve to say she was going to
be his wife? Pathetic. How can anyone be this
shameless?”
“I heard Blake went to jail the one who
drugged him. Now the Montgomery’s will
destroy the Jiangs!”
The assistant wiped the sleeve Brittany
grabbed.
