Chapter 2

Cedric held Denise close, his face full of concern. "Are you hurt?"

Denise, tears streaming, shook her head in his arms, voice trembling. "I'm okay. Carmen probably got upset seeing us take pictures. Please, don't blame her.

"She can scold me or give me a hard time. As long as I can be with you, I'll do anything."

The way she cried and acted lovesick really reminded me of myself.

Years ago, Cedric and I gave each other the silent treatment over something small. Our parents even joked about calling off the engagement.

I was just like Denise back then, crying, burying myself in Cedric's arms, clinging to him, shaking my head, wailing I must marry him.

Cedric's face would turn red as he scrambled to comfort me, blaming our parents for making me cry, but grinning the whole time.

Now, as Cedric looked at Denise's tear-streaked face, his gaze softened.

"Sweetheart, it's okay. Don't cry. I'll stand up for you," he said gently.

He stood and looked down at me, his tone icy. "Carmen, apologize to Denise!"

I was suddenly grateful I always wore a mask. At least no one could see the pain on my face. It let me keep what little dignity I had left.

My voice was hoarse. "I didn't do it. Why should I apologize?"

Cedric wasn't surprised. He just stared me down.

I could read his silence.

He knew I wouldn't do this. He knew Denise was playing a cheap trick. But he'd still take her side.

Between Denise and me, he'd never pick me. That was how he got back at me.

Only the people closest to me knew exactly where to hurt me most.

I sneered, "I do owe you my life."

Then I pointed at Denise. "But I don't owe her a damn thing."

I took a deep breath and struggled to my feet, ready to leave.

Only then did Cedric notice my leg was bleeding. He instinctively stepped forward, but Denise quickly pulled him back by the sleeve.

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she tugged his sleeve. "Cedric," she added, as if it had just occurred to her, "Eloise's anniversary is in two days. Didn't you want to get something for her? We should go."

Cedric paused, his fists slowly clenching, and then nodded. "You're right."

He took Denise's hand and brushed right past me, leaving me hobbling behind.

I went to the hospital alone to get stitches.

Maybe the cut got infected. Once home, I started to run a fever.

I spent two days in a feverish haze. When I finally dragged myself up for water, I saw Cedric had come back.

He never used to stay at Denise's place. But one night, she panicked during a power outage and called him. He rushed over and stayed.

After that, he bought Denise a big house and moved in. He hadn't been back for a long while.

It was Eloise's death anniversary today. He only came back to torture me.

In the living room, he was chatting softly with Denise. But as soon as he saw me, his face turned cold. He sneered, "Carmen, did you really think painting your face white and faking sick would let you skip today?"

My lips were cracked from the fever, and my throat burned. "Why did you bring her here?"

Cedric gave me a sharp smile and dragged me toward Eloise's memorial. "Forgot already?" he growled. "I told you I was going to make you pay for what you did to Denise. Now, get down on the floor."

I gripped the edge of the table. I wasn't going to do it. I wouldn't let him break me, especially not with Denise standing there watching like it was some kind of show.

He kicked the back of my knee, forced my head down, and shoved me onto the floor in front of the memorial.

Denise stood beside it, looking sweet and innocent.

It was like I wasn't just atoning for the dead. I was being forced to bow to her.

Behind Cedric's back, she smirked at me and mouthed, "You look pathetic. Like a dog."

The stitches in my leg tore open again. I bit back a cry, jaw clenched, feeling the last shreds of my dignity crumble away.

I turned and sank my teeth into Cedric's hand, holding on with everything I had.

Denise screamed and lunged at me, yanking my hair so hard that I thought my scalp would rip off.

Shaking, I finally let go and shoved her away.

I was so weak that she barely stumbled, but in her heels, she lost her balance, tumbled down a few steps, and hit the floor clutching her stomach.

Cedric completely freaked out. He didn't even glance at me, who was bleeding and kneeling in a pool of my own blood. Instead, he just scooped Denise up and rushed out.

Once they were gone, I couldn't hold on. I coughed up blood and blacked out.