Chapter 4
When Chloe saw me smiling, she snapped, her face flushed with anger. "What's so funny, you pathetic bitch?"
"You think I can't wipe that smile off your face for good?" she shouted.
"You're about to lose that pretty face of yours," I said, my voice soft and cold, my eyes locked on hers.
Chloe's eyes snapped wide open in shock.
Her face darkened with rage.
"You bitch. Did you curse me?" she shrieked.
"I'll make you pay for this!" she snarled.
She rolled up her sleeves and came at me, ready to throw down.
But in the very next second, she suddenly collapsed to the floor.
She screamed, clutching her face in horror.
"Chloe, your face!" one of her friends gasped.
Chloe fumbled for her compact mirror. A piercing scream tore from her throat when she saw her reflection.
She clutched her bleeding cheek, her eyes burning with hate as she glared at me.
My gaze flicked to the blade that had suddenly appeared on the floor, a cold smile tugging at my lips.
Chloe was livid, lunging at me. "You did this! You evil jinx. How dare you curse me?"
"If you love curses so much, I'll make sure you never say another word," she hissed.
I dug my nails into my palm, my voice hoarse and fierce. "Try it."
She raised an eyebrow, sneering, "Why wouldn't I? I'm going to marry Ryan. You're just a powerless country girl. Of course I'd shut you up for good."
She shot a look at her friends.
They grabbed me and held me down in an instant.
She pulled out two long needles, each about the length of her forearm, and came at me, step by step.
"Today, I'm doing the world a favor and shutting up that cursed mouth of yours for good," she sneered.
I shot back, my voice icy and defiant, "Even if you pierce my throat, it won't be enough to end me. I'll come back."
A flash of gold flickered deep in my eyes as I spoke—too quick for anyone to see.
She lunged, jabbing a needle straight for my throat.
Pain exploded through me, my whole body twisting in pain, but not a single sound escaped me.
When she watched me, Chloe's face bloomed with cruel satisfaction.
"This is what happens to bitches like you," she spat.
Tears kept falling down my cheeks, and the pain in my throat sent cold sweat drenching my whole body.
Everything started to go dark. I felt like I couldn't hold on any longer.
May hurried over to Chloe's side.
"Honestly, Ms. Carter, this is exactly how you deal with shameless trash like her," May said, her voice dripping with approval.
"Homewreckers like her would be shunned by decent folk. Not a soul would speak to her again," May sneered.
I bit down hard on my tongue, the taste of blood keeping my head clear.
Chloe brushed the dust off her hands, raising an eyebrow with a mocking smirk.
"Exactly. She's polluted this house. To clean it, we start by throwing the trash out," she sneered.
She looked down at me like I was nothing but garbage, pure disgust in her eyes.
"Grab her," she ordered.
Just as she finished, a voice suddenly rang out from behind us. "Who is here, and what is the meaning of this commotion at my door?"
"Lindsay!" It was Herman's voice, sharp and urgent.
His landed on me, and seeing me all battered and bloody, he was shaking with rage and worry.
He slammed his cane down hard, practically flying toward me.
"Lindsay!" he called out, his voice trembling with concern.