za

of shock and concern. "Aliza, your parents wi

t a means to an end now. A platform to make them pay." My voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

elty, though they couldn't truly comprehend the suffocating grip of Kaylee's manipulation. They saw the

softly, her gaze searching mine. "

lusion. He chose his side. He chose Kaylee. He means nothing to me now." The words were a li

rising. "How could he do that to you? After everyt

wide with disbelief, fixed on something behind me. A cold dre

ght. He was looking at her, a gentle smile on his lips, a warmth in his eyes that had never been directed at me. He whispered something in her ear, and she gi

s flashing with anger. "The nerve! After what

und, but it didn't pierce as deeply as before. The numbness was setting in. I felt

's not worth it. They're not worth it." I forced myself to take a deep bre

the satisfaction of seeing me break. I walked towards the exit, my

tore, a sharp, searing pain erupting through me. I gasped, stumbling, my face paling. My old shoulder injury, st

pristine white dress. The pain was blinding, a

!" Chloe cried, r

n. "Oh, Aliza! Are you alright? You're so clumsy! Let me help you." She reac

away from Kaylee, her eyes spitting fire. "You caused th

ed to Etienne, her lower lip trembling. "Etienne, the

cker of something, a barely perceptible tightening around the edges. But his gaze was fixed on Kaylee, not me. He put an arm ar

owing into his chest. "Just Aliza being dramat

brow. He didn't offer help, didn't approach. Instead, he reached into his wallet, pulled out a thick wad of cash, and pressed it

ought he could buy off my pain, my humiliation. My eyes

e pain in my arm forgotten in the face of his utter

. Or is it just a larger sum you're after? Perhaps I underestimated your price." He pulled out his checkbook, scribbling

selling my pain, my dignity. He thought I was just another greedy actress, trying to capitalize on a moment of we

ick with unshed tears. "You think

e said, his eyes hard. "Take the money an

" My voice was raw, trembling with barely suppressed fury. "You want to talk about damage, Dr. McCarthy? How about we talk about yours? Or rather, Kaylee's." I pointed at my arm, at the

wiftly, stepping fully in front of Kaylee, shielding her completely. His voice

protect her, even from a hypothetical threat. Even when I was ble

an all-consuming fire, turned to dust, to ash. I reached out, snatched the check fro

ed thousand. Fine. Consider it my fee for being part of your little show. And your sister's." I crumpled

ain, the burning tears. Ignoring him. My friends, the

e's a monster!" Sophia cried,

l their eyes on my back, his and hers. But I didn't turn back. I couldn't. The woman who love