Chapter 16: I Know Erin Whittaker Won

Chapter 16: Chapter 16: I Know Erin Whittaker Won

"If Erin wasn’t so kind, you’d be in prison right now!" Julian Fletcher reprimanded icily.

I stood there numbly, refusing to kneel no matter what they said.

I also refused to apologize.

"Fine, if she won’t apologize, she can spend the night entertaining us. We promise we won’t kill her," a few of the rich heirs jeered.

I stood my ground, looking at Julian Fletcher. "I already explained... I didn’t push her. Why won’t you believe me?"

Julian’s brow furrowed in irritation. "You’re a pathological liar..."

"Fine..." I cut Julian off. ’Don’t say another word.’

’I truly couldn’t endure any more of his cruelty.’

"I’ll apologize."

I looked at Erin Whittaker and smiled. "You win."

Erin looked at Julian. "Forget it. It’s not like she’s apologizing willingly."

"Cecilia!" Julian warned.

I took a step back and gently set the bouquet on the floor.

’I used to dream of receiving a gift from Julian, even if it was just a bouquet of flowers.’

’But it never happened.’

With trembling legs, I knelt on the floor.

Julian looked away, saying nothing.

"Cece, get up, please. I know you didn’t do it on purpose," Erin said, putting on a benevolent act.

I said nothing, nor did I move to get up.

"Julian, consider this me repaying you for saving my life. My debt to you is paid..." ’All that’s left is the money.’

’As for the money, I’ll find a way.’

Julian clenched his fists. "If she wants to kneel, then let her kneel!"

In the hospital room, the whole group was laughing and jeering.

They went on with their fun, spouting vile words.

I knelt there on the cold floor, from just after four in the afternoon until seven at night.

Finally, my legs went numb and I collapsed, unconscious.

"Cecilia! Stop playing dead!"

...

When I woke up again, I was in a hospital bed with an IV in my arm.

The room was empty. I was all alone.

I pulled out the IV needle, got out of bed, and limped out, ignoring the pain in my feet.

After two days of rain, the sun was finally out. The sunlight was bright, but it was still cold.

Autumn in Meridia was always like this: lifeless and bone-chillingly cold.

"Don’t let him get away! Thief! Stop that thief!"

As I was walking down an alley, someone shoved me aside.

Someone was shouting, "Stop the thief!" in the distance.

The man running for his life stopped in his tracks the moment he saw me.

I looked at him, and he looked at me.

He was tall and wore a baseball cap and a mask. All I could see were his eyes—they were crystal clear, and full of pleading.

He pulled me behind a dumpster, clamping a hand over my mouth to keep me from making a sound.

I could hear his ragged breaths and the frantic pounding of his heart.

He didn’t let go until his pursuers were gone. Then he turned to flee.

"Why did you steal?" I asked quietly.

He was tall. With his back to me and his head bowed, he remained silent.

I could tell he wasn’t very old.

"I have a little money on me, and this bracelet... it should be worth something, too. Take it all." I took the cash from my pocket and the bracelet from my wrist, set them on top of the nearby dumpster, and limped away.

He didn’t say anything or come after me.

’I had always treasured that bracelet, wearing it through thick and thin.’

’Julian had given it to me for my eighteenth birthday—my first birthday after my parents died.’

’It was also the only gift... I ever received from him.’

’I used to cherish it, but now, I just want to escape.’

’I want to be free of everything and anything to do with him.’

’Because he disgusts me.’

I wandered the streets aimlessly. By the time I returned to the Fletcher residence, it was already dark.

’My phone had died hours ago. Not that anyone would have called me anyway.’

"Cecilia! Where have you been!" Julian exploded the moment he saw me. "I’ve been calling you! Why didn’t you answer?!"

He rushed over and grabbed my shoulders.

’For a second, he almost looked worried about me.’

I slapped his hands away and turned, my voice cold. "My phone died."

He grew agitated. "Is it so hard to apologize for what you did? What right do you have to feel wronged?"

I didn’t say anything.

My silence angered him. He grabbed my wrist, his expression sinking. "Where’s the bracelet?"

’I glanced back at him in surprise. He’d actually noticed the bracelet was gone.’

’I thought he wouldn’t even care if I dropped dead.’

"I lost it," I said nonchalantly.

"Cecilia! Do you have any idea that bracelet was..." Julian started, but then trailed off.