But now, I wished I had listened. I wished I had gone with him the day he left. Maybe I wouldn’t be trapped here, in this gilded cage of a life that never really belonged to me.
The sound of the door unlocking pulled me back. I looked up sharply as Amber stepped inside, her eyes red and wild.
Before I could speak, her hand lashed across my face.
“This is your fault!” she screamed, her voice breaking. She hit me again, hard enough to make me stagger back. “Because of your bastard brother! Lorenzo is hurt—he’s in the operating room because of him!”
I held my cheek, tasting blood. “It’s not my fault,” I said hoarsely. “Maybe my brother is just doing what you all deserve.”
Amber’s eyes darkened. “You’re insane!” she shouted. “You ruined everything! Nathan is furious, my son is fighting for his life, and it’s all because of you!”
The door opened again, and this time my father walked in. His face was stone. “You’re contacting your brother again?” he thundered. “After everything I’ve said? How dare you!”
“Dad, listen—”