Chapter 3

I didn't push it any further.

Just like Max said, there was no way I could prove it was Kiana who broke it.

So I just crouched down carefully, picking up the shards and grabbing the two toppled towers, too.

Just then, Kiana's voice came from outside, sounding all weak and pitiful. "Max, don't argue with Zara."

She limped in, looking like she could break at any moment.

"I didn't do it, but if Zara wants to blame me, so be it. Nobody's ever liked me since I was a kid, so it's normal if she doesn't like me, either," she added.

As she spoke, she deliberately moved closer and crouched down right in front of me. She stepped right onto one of the shards and twisted her foot hard.

At the same time, she whispered in a voice so low only I could hear, "Yeah, I did it. So what?"

Anger surged through me, and I went to push Kiana away. But before my hand even touched her, she dropped to the floor, falling perfectly in sync with my movement.

Her foot, wrapped in white bandages, slammed right into the nightstand.

The next second, Kiana burst into tears, her voice trembling and full of sobs. "Zara, I just wanted to help you."

Before I could even react, Max grabbed a fistful of my hair. It was a look I'd never seen on him before.

His face twisted with rage as he glared at me, eyes fierce and murderous, like he could kill me right then and there.

"Even if you don't like Kiana, you don't have to go this far. She's still sick," Max shouted.

With Max pulling hard on my hair, I was forced to lift my chin and look up at them.

Bitterness flooded my mouth, and my heart felt shattered into a thousand pieces.

"I swear, I never even touched her," I protested.

Max slapped me hard across the face. A bright red handprint appeared instantly on my cheek.

Max shouted, "You're still lying? Zara, are you seriously trying to fool me? I was right there. I saw it with my own eyes.

"First, you blame Kiana for something she didn't do, and now you push her? I never knew you could be so cold-hearted. You're downright twisted."

My chest tightened, and I couldn't find any words to defend myself. No matter what I said now, Max would never believe me.

He finally let go, towering over me with a cold, unforgiving glare. "Out of excuses, huh? Zara, you're nothing but a vicious bitch," he snarled.

Max looked at me with utter disappointment. But for me, it was like a weight had finally been lifted. I'd ever held onto that last shred of hope for him, but it was gone now.

I stopped trying to defend myself, stopped struggling to explain.

Max picked Kiana up in his arms, and she gave me a triumphant look, mouthing something just for me.

I knew exactly what she was saying. "Like you could ever compete with me for Max?" she sneered.

If she were so into him, she would have him.

Kiana had twisted her ankle earlier, and the injury had just been bumped again. Max scooped her up in his arms, his face full of worry, and hurried her straight to the hospital.

I staggered to my feet. The mirror reflected my face, flushed and burning hot. The slap mark stood out clearly as day. Clearly, Max had been so pissed that he really didn't hold back.

I let out a bitter laugh, wiping the blood from my lips.

This slap crushed every dream I ever dared to hold onto.

Seizing the chance, I packed up every piece of clothing I owned, shoving them all into my suitcase.

If it could fit in my suitcase, I took it. If not, I threw it right in the trash.

Before leaving, I got a real estate agent and listed the house online.

This place was mine. My grandpa used his retirement savings to buy it for me. It was supposed to be my wedding house.

But now, I didn't see any reason to hold onto it. Anything dirty just disgusted me.