Page 102 of What Goes Around

“There’s no chance I’m apologizing,” I said. “Not when you didn’t even bother asking whether I was hurt.”

His brow furrowed.

“You jumped to her defense immediately,” I continued. “Didn’t question anything. Didn’t ask why she grabbed me. You’re just like Mom, quick to accuse, slow to listen. And when you realize you’re wrong, you smooth it over with a few words and some money, like that erases everything.”

I rolled my sleeve up deliberately and cradled my wrist, lowering my gaze like someone trying not to cry.

The marks, red and raised, stood out starkly against my skin.

“Apple just admitted she was wrong,” I added quietly. “Yet you’re yelling at me.”

Apple’s sweet smile snapped off her face the moment she saw them. She hadn’t realized how hard she’d dug her nails into me.

Brandon saw it too.

His gaze darkened as he stepped closer. He took my wrist in his hand, turning it slowly, inspecting the marks with growing tension.

I let my voice soften.

“I didn’t mean to be harsh,” I said quietly. “It just… hurt.”

The shift was immediate.

“Apple,” Brandon snapped, fury sharp in his voice. “How dare you put your hands on your sister like that? Apologize. Now.”

The irony almost made me smile.

Apple swallowed, jaw tight, pride bleeding through the apology forced from her lips.

“I’m sorry, Ashley.”

I felt nothing.

No relief. No validation. No warmth.

One moment of concern couldn’t erase years of neglect. His sudden protectiveness meant nothing.

Less than nothing.

Still—

Watching her choke on her own scheme?

That part was satisfying.

Chapter 32: Playing Along

It was the last week of school. The graduation party was on Saturday, just a few days away.

When I got home that afternoon, something in my room felt off.

Not obvious. Not sloppy. Just wrong in a way you only noticed if you were used to cataloging details.

The drawer under my desk hadn’t been closed the way I left it.

The stack of documents inside was slightly misaligned.

My laptop, closed when I left, now sat open.