Chapter 19
The next day, the two of them slept in until late afternoon.
After washing up, Genevieve declared she was starving. She grabbed Loretta and insisted they check out a new dessert café that had just opened.
The café sat halfway up a hillside. Since it was a weekday, the place was nearly empty.
They chose a table out on the terrace, where they could admire the sea of crimson maples and lush greenery blanketing the slopes. As they nibbled their treats, they swapped secrets and stories, laughter bubbling between them.
They were right in the middle of a particularly juicy confession when a group of girls passed by. One was carrying a tray, which she tipped a little too far–sending a dollop of whipped–cream cake tumbling straight onto Loretta’s shirt.
Loretta glanced down at her now–stained top, frowning as she dabbed at the mess with some napkins.
The girl who’d caused the accident started to apologize, but the moment she got a look at their faces, her regret gave way to shock. “It’s you guys?“N
Genevieve paused mid–wipe, lifted her eyes–and found herself staring at Fidelia.
They hadn’t seen each other in over six months, but Fidelia hadn’t changed a bit; even a simple outing was a full–blown spectacle with her.
Running into each other like this, everyone’s expressions shifted in an instant.
Genevieve’s face darkened, and she instinctively stepped in front of Loretta, shielding her.
“What, cat got your tongue? Forgot how to say sorry? Figures you’d be hanging around with this kind of crowd.“}]
The girl who’d dropped the cake looked ready to snap back, but Fidelia stopped her with a sharp look.”
Lifting her chin, Fidelia eyed Genevieve–the same Genevieve who’d made her life miserable for three years–and gave a cold little laugh. “Well, well. Look who it is. The Kingsley family’s little brat and my stand–in.”
Genevieve was never one to back down from a fight.
“Oh, I hardly measure up to you, Fidelia. You’re like a bad penny–always turning up where you’re least wanted. What’s wrong, Xavier shut you out again today? Looking for attention from us now? Sorry, but no one in the Kingsley family has time for your desperate antics, so you can give it a rest.”
Fidelia’s composure cracked. Being called out in front of Loretta, especially on her sore spot, made her flush with anger.}
‘Genevieve, what goes on between me and Xavier is none of your business, got it? Why don’t you watch your mouth for once? You call me desperate, but what about that girl behind you? Just a cheap knockoff, is she?“M
Any mention of Loretta always put Genevieve on the defensive. She bristled instantly, every word a prickly retort.
She didn’t bother arguing. Instead, she grabbed the half–eaten cake from their table and hurled it at Fidelia’s face.
“Tough luck, Fidelia. Thirteen years chasing after a man who wants nothing to do with you, and now you’re trailing around after me and Loretta. What’s the matter, jealous much?“{
Fidelia’s face, carefully made up over hours, was now smeared and sticky. Her cheeks burned with humiliation. ‘Genevieve, just because you’re Xavier’s little sister doesn’t mean I have to put up with your crap-”
“Oh, I’ve never asked you to. If you’re so tough, why don’t you do something about it?“M
Neither was willing to back down, and it looked like a brawl was brewing.
Fidelia’s friends, wary of offending the Kingsleys, quickly grabbed her by the arms to hold her back. Loretta, not wanting their perfect day ruined by a pack of petty girls, tried to calm Genevieve down. For Loretta’s sake, Genevieve finally relented, dragging her friend toward the stairs to leave.N
As they passed Fidelia, Fidelia stuck out a foot and deliberately tripped Loretta.”
Loretta stumbled, nearly slamming her head against the stone wall, but Genevieve caught her just in time.
What should have been the end of the confrontation suddenly reignited.
Genevieve saw red. She spun around, ready to teach them a lesson.
Loretta, worried she’d get hurt, rushed to help.
In the scuffle–two against five–someone bit Genevieve’s hand.
Genevieve didn’t hesitate. She grabbed a serving tray from the table and swung it backward at whoever was grabbing her
Chapter 19
There was a loud crack.
Fidelia hit the ground.}
A thin stream of blood trickled from her forehead, splattering onto the floor.
Drip. Drip. Drip.}
