Chapter 3
Sheldon wasn't interested in my excuses. He just barked an order.
I clenched my fists.
The temperature had dropped hard, and the wind was freezing cold.
The forecast said it'd be in the negatives today.
Alisha and I had checked the forecast together.
She was whining that the weather was too cold for her to wear anything cute.
I figured she didn't need me to tell her.
We were sixteen now.
We weren't kids anymore.
I hadn't needed Camden to remind me to bundle up or take off layers since I was four.
Since I was four, I was the one reminding Camden to dress for the weather.
That was something special between Camden and me. I didn't want to give it away to anyone else.
If I just kept holding onto this little habit, and if I didn't let myself get close to anyone here, then no one could hurt me.
Maybe I could hang on until Camden comes for me.
My ears were ringing, and my head throbbed. The wind felt like it was cutting my face open.
I rasped out, "Sheldon, but I've only got this one coat..."
Sheldon's face was ice cold. "Take it off! Don't make me repeat myself again! I bought this for Alisha. How could you just take it for yourself? Alisha was just being nice to you. Do you really not get it?"
I shivered in the wind, feeling a coldness settle deep in my heart.
Why did the north wind feel like it was freezing my heart?
I forced a smile and let it go.
Even if I got something that wasn't mine, I would just end up losing it again and paying the price.
Sheldon couldn't wait for me to take it off, so he came over and yanked the coat off me himself, not caring if it hurt.
His hands were so rough, it stung my skin.
I gritted my teeth, shivering as I watched him wrap the coat gently around Alisha's shoulders. "Just wear this for now. I'll take you to buy a new one today, and we'll just throw this one away later. Alisha, remember, not everyone deserves your kindness."
Alisha finally stopped crying and nodded, looking all sweet and obedient.
Her eyes were still red as she promised, "Arianna, don't worry! I'll ask Sheldon to buy you another coat, okay? Please don't be mad at me or Sheldon.
"He's just worried I'll get cold. You're always so strong, so you'll be fine, right? Walking's good exercise anyway. He really does care about you, you know."
Her smile was sweet and innocent.
There was a kind of pure innocence in her eyes, like she didn't know how harsh the world could be.
She looked like the picture of perfection.
Her words sounded sweet, but every single one cut straight to my heart.
She was just the Avery family's imposter heiress, but they pampered her like she was their real princess.
but they pampered her like she was their real princess.
Truth was, I never expected to get Sheldon's coat, and I didn't care about it at all.
Sheldon said flatly, "I've only got one sister, and she's the only one I'll ever buy things for. As for those who don't know what family means and are always scheming, I don't bother with them. Alisha, let's go!"
He wrapped his arm around Alisha's shoulders, holding her close and shielding her from the freezing wind.
The north wind was brutal, just a few minutes out there, and I felt like the cold had seeped into my bones, making them ache.
My heart felt frozen and numb as I dragged myself to catch up with them.
My frozen fingers barely brushed the car door before I realized I was shut out.
He really had the driver lock me out.
He rolled the window down just a sliver, giving me a cold, hard stare.
"Someone like you will never learn unless you're taught the hard way! You're walking to school today and have to think long and hard about what you did wrong!"
On a clear day, it usually took about fifty minutes to walk from the gated community to school. If it was raining, it'd be an hour and fifteen.
But with this freezing weather, it'd probably take me a good hour and a half.
The driver looked over at Sheldon, ready to plead for me,
but Sheldon shut him down cold. "Anyone who wants to stick up for her today can walk to school with her!"
The driver gave me a pitying look, then drove off.
No matter how many times this happened, the driver still looked at me with pity.
Sometimes I wondered if Sheldon even had a heart at all.
Maybe I should just run the rest of the way, I thought.
But then I worried. What if Camden came looking for me and couldn't find me?
I gave a bitter smile and jogged all the way from the Avery estate to school.
By the afternoon, I was already feeling off, and by dinner, I was just going through the motions, barely present.
That's how I ended up absentmindedly grabbing an extra rib, the kind Alisha loved.
The next thing I knew, Mom flung her fork right at my face.
I yelped in pain.
Mom shot me a look of pure disgust. "You don't know the first thing about sharing! These ribs were made especially for Alisha, and she hasn't even had any yet, but you just keep stuffing your face! Do you have to fight her for everything? Sheldon's spoiled you rotten!"
Mom said she was just trying to teach me a lesson, make me behave.
I didn't even get a chance to defend myself before she locked me up in my room.