Chapter 5 Section 5
Dad turned around, “What’s that?”
The bodyguard moved to block me.
Chad chuckled, “Probably just someone
<
kicking something by accident.”
“Nice seeing you, Mr. Miller. Let us know if
you need anything. The Millers and Caldwells
are about to be family.”
He wanted to suck up to Dad.
Dad just glared and left.
Chad looked lost.
He didn’t understand why Dad, who normally
at least acknowledged him, had been so cold.
He didn’t realize that everything he’d gotten
was because of me.
Without me, he wasn’t worth anything!
<
My last hope was gone.
I choked out a sob, tears streaming down my
face.
Chad, frustrated at being ignored, kicked me.
“Is this your fault?! Mr. Miller must be mad I
didn’t protect Ashley better!”
He grabbed my hair and forced me to sit up.
“Say it again. Apologize to Ashley!”
My scalp was burning, but I forced the words
out.
“Chad, you’re so stupid!”
“If Ashley was really a Miller, Dad wouldn’t
<
Before Chad could reply, Ashley slapped me.
She’d been quiet while Dad was around.
Now she was back to her old tricks.
“You little tramp! Still spreading lies.”
“You’re just a poor nobody, so you wouldn’t
know that my parents don’t want me to be a
target by the enemies, so they never said I
was the Miller! That’s why Dad was protecting
me!”
Chad and the other students looked
impressed.
Chad nodded.
“Right! He was protecting Ashley.”
<
He glared at me.
“Ashley, you’re so twisted!”
I realized how she’d gotten away with this.
She used that story, knowing no one knew
what the real heiress looked like.
I felt sick.
My family had wanted to protect me, but it
had just made things easier for the bad guys!
Ashley saw I wasn’t answering.
She was getting tired of me.
She told Chad to drag me into the bathroom
and dunked my head in the toilet.
L
“You’re so gross. You need to be cleaned!”
“Say it! Apologize!”
They wanted me to break.
But I was too stubborn.
I wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction.
I clenched my teeth, fighting the choking
feeling.
The insults got worse, and I started to feel
like my soul was leaving my body.
Was I going to die, just like last time?
Ashley yelled, “Ashley, admit you’re the fake!
く
Or you’re not leaving here alive!”
Blood was coming from my mouth and nose.
My vision was blurring.
But I wouldn’t give in.
I just hoped Michael would wake up and tell
my dad the truth.
Then they’d all be sorry.
I’d be saved!
But Ashley got tired.
She scoffed.
“She’s too stubborn. Chad, let’s not waste our
Chad nodded and dragged me to the window.
“Last time you got lucky. Not this time.”
“Once you’re dead, we’ll say you killed
yourself. Then I can be with the Miller
heiress!”
I felt myself being pushed out the window,
losing my balance.
Then, the crowd parted.
Dad rushed in, his face twisted with panic.
Seeing me, he exploded.
“Ashley!”
