Chapter 3

Edward turned his eyes on me.

His gaze stayed fixed on my face, not moving an inch.

The instant our eyes met, I felt my palms start to sweat, burning hot.

I'd lost count of how many times I'd pictured bumping into him again.

I'd imagined slapping him and screaming at him to let all my anger out.

I'd pictured myself standing tall right in front of him, making sure he saw how much better I was doing without him.

But after three years, he was still standing above everyone else, as if nothing had changed.

He was dressed in a custom suit, looking more powerful and confident than before.

He was a world away from the guy who used to cram into my tiny apartment, wearing those shabby, worn-out clothes.

And me? I was in a bargain-bin hoodie, the fabric all fuzzy and frayed.

My hair was a mess, and I smelled like a bar.

The guy next to me was all too eager to rat me out.

"Lucas, you must have my back on this. Call in the best lawyer and get this bitch committed to a mental hospital," he shouted.

As soon as he finished, Edward turned his head and shot him a look.

The guy looked like he'd seen a ghost and didn't dare say another word.

Edward's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an authority that brooked no argument. "Apologize."

I swallowed hard, calling myself a total wimp in my head.

Wasn't I acting all badass when I slapped the Edward in my eyes just now?

I didn't hesitate and did it fast.

But now, with the real deal right in front of me, I couldn't even squeak.

Honestly, my hand was still itching for round two.

But the buzz was gone. I was sober as a judge now.

I knew Edward could make my life hell in a thousand different ways if he wanted.

I chickened out.

I lowered my head, even though I was burning with resentment inside, and forced myself to say, "I'm so—"

But Edward cut me off, "Lucas, apologize to her."

I was completely dumbfounded.

So was Lucas.

His expression shifted dramatically, and after a long moment, he finally managed to squeeze out, "Edward, what did you say?"

Edward's face grew colder, his voice heavy with authority. "Lucas, apologize. Why are you cursing at her for no reason? And with such nasty words, too. Who taught you to talk like that?"

Lucas looked unwilling, his lips twitching as if he wanted to argue, but the words wouldn't come out.

Edward's deep eyes narrowed. "And didn't you say you'd be back in your dorm by ten every night? Tonight, not only are you not there, but you stink of booze. So, you were fooling me, huh?"

Lucas flinched. He'd totally forgotten about that promise.

To get Edward to buy him a sports car, he'd sworn up and down he'd "study hard, stay out of trouble, and be back in the dorm by ten every night."

Now, the jig was up.

Lucas rubbed his nose, looking guilty, and grudgingly mumbled, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have cursed at you.

"But you shouldn't have slapped me either. You should—"

Before he could finish, Edward said, "That's enough. It's settled. It's late. Go back now."

Lucas's eyes went wide. He looked from Edward to me, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

His face fell, looking sourer.

He complained inwardly, 'Seriously? I'm the one who got slapped, and I'm the one who's in the right, so why am I the one getting yelled at, the one apologizing, and the one slinking off with my tail between my legs?'

But he didn't dare say a word. He knew all too well what Edward was capable of.

Edward called the shots in the family.

Their dad listened to him, and so did their mom. Even the seasoned veterans at the company wouldn't dare talk back to him.

If Lucas so much as talked back, that sports car he'd been promised would be gone, and he could forget about getting any allowance next month.

Thinking about it, he shot me a resentful glare, then hung his head and slunk out after Edward, looking totally defeated.

I was still a bit out of it.

The officer saw what happened and said to me, "Since the guy said it's settled, you can go home now."