Chapter 4After the Favor

Melanie suddenly grabbed my wrist. Her long, manicured nail left a scratch on my arm.

“Willow, why won’t you let me finish? Do you despise me?”

I winced in pain and yanked my hand away from Melanie. She stumbled backward, collapsing. “Sterling dear, save me!”

Sterling cried out in alarm, scooping Melanie into his arms. Before I could even react, he slapped me across the face. Lance, alerted by the commotion, rushed over and bellowed at me. “Willow, why are you always making trouble for Melanie?”

“Don’t you forget, if the Sterling family hadn't taken you in, you, a lonely orphan, would probably be scavenging for scraps somewhere! Not only are you ungrateful, but you’re also biting the hand that fed you!”

A ringing echoed in my ears. This was the first time I had ever been hit. My entire world seemed to shatter in that instant. Sterling looked at me, stunned, as if he realized the impropriety of his actions.

“Are you okay? I…”

“I’m fine. I don’t blame you.”

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth. I didn’t blame him; I considered that slap payment for his past kindness. From now on, all debts were settled, all scores even.

But Lance wouldn’t let it go, blocking my path. “Don’t leave yet. Apologize to Melanie!” His fierce gaze was a stark contrast to the boy who used to cling to me, calling me “big sister Willow.” I knew his methods. Once, in school, a boy harassed me. Lance secretly dealt with him, and Sterling cleaned up the mess. The two brothers worked in perfect sync, forcing the boy’s entire family to flee Havenport. I never imagined then that one day, they would turn those ruthless tactics on me.

I glanced at the triumphant Melanie, collecting my scattered thoughts. “I will never apologize. I’ve done nothing wrong.” I had nothing to fear. Even without their intervention, I would be leaving anyway.