Chapter 4

"Alanna's been waiting for you for so many years. It's about time you two got married. She's Elvira's bestie, and Elvira would be thrilled to see you together," Sophie said.

Alanna Lawson and Jeff were childhood friends, and she was Elvira's bestie.

If I hadn't suddenly shown up, those two would probably be married with kids by now.

I rolled the car window all the way down, wanting to hear Jeff's response.

I had to admit, deep down, I still clung to a sliver of hope that he'd refuse.

But Jeff just gave a careless nod, completely indifferent.

"Got it," he said.

His words made my heart sink all over again.

The taxi had been sitting there way too long, and suddenly, I met Jeff's gaze.

"Gina?" he said.

Jeff walked me into the Currey family home.

Before we even got through the door, Sophie was already jabbing her finger right in my face, shouting insults.

She snapped, "The Currey family has always been respectable. A messed-up woman like you do not deserve to walk into our home.

"If I were you, I'd have ended it with a rope already. You're ruined, and you still dare to show your face in public? Don't you feel any shame?

"Gina, I'm warning you, get out right now, or I'll upload the video from that night and let everyone see just how shameless you really are!"

I was trembling, looking at Jeff, unable to believe what I was hearing.

That night, I went from terrified to completely broken, and in the end, my spirit was crushed.

I suffered through an entire night of unimaginable torment, and Jeff had the nerve to record it.

But Jeff just looked away from me, cutting in with a frown to stop his mom.

He said, "Mom, stop it.

"Gina, don't be scared. I'll take you home."

I tried to push Jeff away.

But I was so weak, I had no choice but to cling to him for support, stumbling along with every step.

We'd barely taken a few steps when a sudden splash echoed behind us.

Someone shouted, "Help. Somebody, please.

"Alanna's fallen into the pool!"

Before I could even process what was happening, Jeff had already bolted toward the pool.

Without Jeff to steady me, I crumpled to the floor.

As I tried to get up, Sophie stormed over and slapped me over and over, like she'd never stop.

"Get out. Don't ever let me see your face again!" she screamed.

My face was burning and throbbing, swollen and aching.

Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my cheeks.

As Jeff carried Alanna past me, he just shot me a quick look and left without saying anything.

I was absolutely stunned when I got a message from Alanna.

When I found her in the hospital room, she was laughing wildly, totally shameless and over the top.

Alanna sneered, "Gina, I've told you a million times, Jeff belongs to me. Don't even try to steal him from me

"Why won't you ever listen?"

Alanna tossed her long hair over her shoulder, deliberately showing off the love bite on her neck.

"See that? Jeff's all over me. I heard you've been ruined. Has Jeff ever even wanted you?" she sneered.

Rage and humiliation crashed over me, and I couldn't hold back anymore, I shouted at her.

"Alanna, what do you want from me?" I yelled.

Alanna grabbed my collar, her grip tight and ruthless.

My breath grew shallower and shallower, and just as I was about to suffocate, I heard Alanna's voice.

She said, "What do you think I'm doing? I love Jeff, and I'll marry him by any means necessary, even if it means...

"Killing Elvira."

My eyes widened in utter disbelief, I couldn't process what I'd just heard.

I tried to break free from Alanna's grip, but she suddenly slammed me to the floor.

"Was it you? You did this to Elvira, and then set me up too? Why would you do that?" I demanded, shaken to the core.

I never thought Alanna could be so ruthless, coming up with such a cruel scheme just to marry Jeff.

"You and Elvira grew up together, and you want to marry Jeff. Why didn't you just kill me outright?" I asked.

Alanna scoffed, "Kill you? And let Jeff be haunted by your memory for the rest of his life?

"No, I need him to believe you killed Elvira. I need him to hate you. That's the only way I can get him!"

Alanna spat out every word like a devil pronouncing my doom, her voice cold and merciless.

Then she threw her head back and laughed like a maniac, right in my face.

I was so scared I kept stumbling backward, my face a mess of tears and snot.

I yelled, "Alanna, you're insane.

"Why are you telling me this? Aren't you scared I'll tell Jeff?"

Ignoring her, I fumbled for her phone with trembling hands.

"I'm calling Jeff right now!" I snapped.