EMILIA
“So that’s what all of this was about?” I ask, barely recognising my own voice. “Money?”
Everything clicks.
Liam’s weird reactions to everything involving Céline. Lacey’s offhanded comment about her being a gold digger.
How Céline latched onto Tonia’s boyfriend so fast.
Was it really about stealing him away from Tonia? Because he’s some crypto millionaire.
God, I really should have listened to Liam and stayed away from her, but in the face of Irma, his warnings had completely left my mind.
Now, I’ve walked straight into this mess.
And I’m left wondering
—
how long has Liam known? What exactly did he know?
Céline’s face twists. “You wouldn’t understand anything I go through,” she snaps, like I’ve just insulted her mere existence. “You don’t know what it’s like to have nothing. To wake up every day knowing you’re stuck while someone else gets everything.”
Her voice rises. Her eyes burn.
“To sit there and think: What does she have that I don’t? Why does she get the perfect life? And what can I do to take it away from her?” D
For a second, I just stare at her.
Then I laugh. Bitter and loud.
She flinches. “What the hell are you laughing at?!”
“You,” I say, “You’re actually insane.”
I feel something twist in my chest – something sharp and sick. Not because of Céline. But because of Lacey,
God, Lacey.
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Chapter 134
How heartbroken she’ll be when she realises the one person she trusted… was the one setting her up to fall.
I shut my eyes for a second, try to breathe through the bitterness rising in my throat. When I open them again, I look Céline dead in the eye.
“No,” I say. “You’re right. I don’t understand. Because I’m not a selfish, twisted bitch who takes joy in destroying her best friend.”
She goes still. Her face freezes.
But I’m not done.
“I could never hurt Tessa the way you hurt Lacey.”
I think about Lacey’s constant laughter, the way she lights up every room. The way she drinks too much when she thinks no one’s watching. Her three divorces. The pain beneath the perverted jokes.
Is any of it real?
Is that why Liam worries about her drinking?
Everything feels heavier now.
“You spent all that time blaming Irma for everything, but in the end… you’re exactly what you accused her of being,” I say, voice shaking now. “You tear people down to feel powerful.”
Céline’s lips part like she wants to argue
Because she knows I’m right.
And it finally shows.
—
but nothing comes out.
My ears are ringing. I feel dizzy, like the hallway is spinning around me. Every memory of Céline starts replaying in my head but none of them add up. She’s never been this person.
And then Lacey flashes in my mind. Sweet, bubbly, big–hearted Lacey. The girl who’d drop
everything for Céline. Who looked out for her when no one else did.
My hands are shaking.
I don’t even realise I’m trembling until I look up and see her again.
Chapter 134
deep.
Céline. Smiling like she just won something. Like my words moments ago hadn’t cut that
“I think…” she murmurs, eyes glassy and unfocused. “Yes. I’ll do it. That’ll fix everything.”
What is she even talking about? My brain can’t keep up.
Then she snaps. Her tone turns sharp. Cold. “Alright. Time’s up. Tell your parents to wire the money, or I’ll post it.”
The instability in behaviour has me adapting to her moods as well. I calm my anger and
follow her lead.
My heart pounds. “Post what?” I take a breath, trying to steady my voice. “You’re the one who’s been leaking everything… right?”
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