Chapter 20
“The Schuler family’s influence isn’t something you get to use to push people around. If you can’t leam to take responsibility and admit when you’re wrong, maybe you don’t deserve the Schule name at all.”
That last line, though spoken softly, hit I ex, Austin, and Aiden like a pinch to the gut. Even if they weren’t born Schuler, even if they made their own way in the world. losing the family name would be a humiliation beyond words
They stopped scrambling for the shore and just floated in the lake, letting the cold water swallow them up–forcing themselves to feel a fraction of what Rosa had suffered
Their lungs bumed for air. The metallic taste of the water crept up their noses, stung their throats, and made their bodies sink, powerless. The panic of near–drowning was now and vicious.
Just as they thought they couldn’t take it anymore, their instincts kicked in. They found their strength, broke the surface, and choked down deep, desperate baths, But Rosa hadn’t gotten that mercy. She couldn’t swim. She was terrified of water. No one had come to save her. How hopeless must she have felt back then? Even just imagining it left the three of them shaken./
After a few more attempts, the three finally digged themselves to chore, completely defeated, every y movement heavy with regret.
“I’m sorry, Rosa. I was wrong” Lev’s voice was rough, and it was the first time had ever said those words to her.
Austin looked down, his quilt obvious. Ross, we messed up all these yours. We turned our backs on the person who saved us–and on our own hearts. That’s on me” Aiden’s face was ghostly pale, his red rimmed eyes locked on Rosa. His voice was barely more than a whisper, pleading. “Hosa, I’m sorry. Is there any way I can fi this? I’ll do anything–learn what you love, what you want. Can we… mayba start over?“a
Before he could finish, Rosa cut him off, her expression calm and distant. “No. Wo con 1.
Ive said it so many times. The engagement was something our families arranged. I never loved you. I was only nice because I was stuck in that deal.
“So isn’t this the best possible ending? Right now, the only thing I am to you is your aunt by marriage.”
She slid her arm through Phils, standing tall and looking down at them. “So, what should you call me now? Haven’t you figured it out yet?”
Phil stood beside her, silent but supportive, his gaze steely as he stared the three men down
After a long, tense moment, the three finally muttered the title, the word bitter in their mouths: “Aunt.”
Rosa smiled, causted. “Good Dinner’s ready. Let’s go!
She and Phil walked forward, fingers interlaced, the kind of quiet understanding between them that made everyone else seem miles away
At the family dinner, Phil paid close attention to what Rusa liked, picking out her favorite dishes and piling them on her plate.
“This is your favonte Have some more,” he said gently
Roca smiled, nodding, and started eating with real appetite.
Granny Schuler watched them, hardly able to hide her satisfaction, the joy on her face unmistakable.
as the meal was winding down, the doors burst open and Abigail came running in, teats streaming down her face
With a loud thud, she dropped to her knees on the polished floor and bowed her head to low it nearly touched the ground
“Grandpa Schuler, Granny Schuler, please,” she sobbed, “call off my engagement to the three young masters“]
“They don’t love me I almost died
today. I may not come from inacy but I have my prite
“I know now that everything they said, all their kindness and affection–it was all fake I can’t carry this engagement anymore. The one they truly love is Rosa, not me Please, let me go
leave with my dignity“)
The kept Lowing her forehead elegant dining room ja haunting, desperate plea for freedom =
the ground again and again, even as blood began to seep from a cut Her hospital gown looked stark and out of place in the
