My aunt was about to lose her mind. She yanked my hair even harder as she raised her hand to strike again.
My boyfriend, Joziah Roach, stepped in front of me, taking the slap meant for me.
His cheek swelled up, but he ignored the pain and offered a weak apology. “Mrs. Morton, please don’t be upset. Whatever Kaelyn took from you, I’ll pay it back.”
When my eyes landed on his hunched figure, it made my blood boil—I wanted to strangle him right then and there.
“Don’t you dare do anything on my behalf. I didn’t steal the money, and I’m not the one who should pay it back!”
In my previous life, his self-righteous decision to pay the money for me was what sealed my fate, making me the scapegoat.
I wasn’t about to repeat history this time!
He sighed, looking at me helplessly. “Kaelyn, it’s just us here. There’s no need to lie. Just admit it—you misused the surgery money. I’ll cover the cost, but you can’t do this again. It’s wrong.”
“Are you deaf or just plain stupid? We’re done! Don’t meddle in my life again! Now, get lost!”
I furiously shoved him aside and turned to leave.
My aunt clung to me, refusing to let go. “You little brat! Did I say you could leave? Pay up!”
“It was Jasmine who stole the money. Go after her, not me!” I snapped, shaking her off before striding away.
Behind me, Joziah called my name and ran after me. Meanwhile, my aunt continued cursing up a storm as she stomped after us.
I ignored them both and grabbed my bike. The sting on my face was still burning as I rode off without looking back.
Since I grew up half-starved, I never had the strength to stand up to my stout aunt in my ridiculous hand-me-downs. Nonetheless, I vowed to myself that I would make her pay a thousandfold for each and every abuse she had laid on my person.
I made it back to my apartment in no time, only to find that Joziah had followed me home.
He looked heartbroken. “Kaelyn, you shouldn’t throw around break-up talk so casually. It really hurts.”
“I’m not being casual,” I said flatly. “I meant every word.”
He stared at me in disbelief. “You’re breaking up with me just because you messed up and I didn’t cover for you? I didn’t even blame you; I offered to pay the money back. What do you have to feel so wronged about?”
I laughed as I ignored the tightening of my chest as a sting crept up my nose. “Every time Jasmine says or does something, you believe her without question. Yet, you never trust me. So tell me, who are you really dating—me or her?”
His brows furrowed as he stepped forward, trying to wipe my tears. Sadly for him, I was quick to dodge his advances.
Then, he said with a sigh, “Just because we’re together doesn’t mean I can ignore my conscience when you’re bullying your cousin.”
As I listened to his tone, it was clear to me that he had always thought of me as the villain deep down inside.
Perhaps it was years of bottled-up disappointment talking. Nevertheless, I didn’t feel the slightest bit sad at that moment. Instead, I felt exhausted and furious.
“I don’t need a boyfriend who always takes someone else’s side and can’t even offer me basic trust. Stop meddling in my business. That’s my last piece of advice for you.”
I slammed the door, shutting him out for good. Then, I contacted a classmate of mine without wasting a second—a lawyer.
Alas, it didn’t matter how far I tried to run as I couldn’t escape the mess that was out to get me.
Jasmine and her mother were dead set on pinning the theft of my grandma’s surgery money on me. They had made up their minds to drown me in this lie.
