Page 157 of Her Wicked Plan

“Yes, it was. We both know it, so why try to deny it?” I shrug, eyeing her up and down. “Must be your type. Men who are going through a really shitty time. Men who can’t think straight with all the demons weighing them down.”

She eyes me curiously, confused at my words. He never told her what happened, did he?

It’s not my place, but I can’t keep the words from falling from my mouth. “His mother is dying, you stupid bitch.”

Scarlet gasps, stumbling back as her hand covers her mouth and her eyes gloss over. “I… I didn’t know.”

“No, you didn’t.” I step into her. “He is my doctor, and for the second time since I’ve been here, I actually care about someone. Go near him again and see what happens, Scarlet. I dare you to disobey his demand that you leave him alone so I can finally put my hands on you.”

“Did...” She stutters, pausing before standing up straight. “Did you just threaten me?”

“Sure did.” I grin with pride.

“You’re already on thin ice, Veronica.” So everyone knows about the ultimatum I was giving.

Lovely.

“That I am.” My hands fall to my side and across around my back, one hand holding the journal, the other holding my wrist. “Dr. Bennett didn’t specify, though. He said that if I acted out again, I’d be sent to another ward.”

Suddenly, her face holds a conniving smirk. “If I go near Dr. Madden and you put your hands on me, then you will be sent to a different ward. It seems like something you need—more discipline. Less freedom.”

I chuckle to myself, my head falling forward. The laughter shakes my body until I stop and look at her through my lashes. My head dips to the side, and an evil grin makes its way onto my face.

“That would be unlucky for you then because with how fed up Dr. Bennett is with me, he’d definitely send me to your ward.” Her bitchy smile instantly falls. “How much fun would that be?”

Scarlet wouldn’t care if I were sent to another ward, but hers? She would make sure that never happened. “I’ll stay away from him.”

“See? You’re proving just how easy you are.”

Her face twists into pure anger before stomping away like a child. Satisfaction courses through my veins; the anger that was once stored there is dead and gone.

Opening the door to the lobby, Edith sits behind her desk as usual. She greets me with a sweet hello, eyes only glancing my way for a moment, then swiveling in my direction.

“Veronica, dear, what can I do for you?”

“I needed an escape,” I say. “Was hoping I could sit in the lobby for a little.”

“Go right ahead. The two girls are at the craft gathering.” She waves her hand to the empty lobby.

I sit on the couch facing the entrance to the hall where I have come from, and my journal drops in my lap. Tapping the pen lightly on the cover, I tuck it away in my pocket and peer over at the book on the side table.

Craning my neck to read the title sideways, I find interest in seeing Fahrenheit 451 sitting there. I’ve read it before, but I think it was for school.

As I pick it up, Edith speaks from over the counter. “I hear your sister is coming tomorrow.”

I flick my eyes at her. “She is.”

“How are you feeling about that?” she asks with genuine concern.

I shrug. “Surprised that she agreed.”

“When I heard the news, I was also surprised,” she agrees. “You aren’t nervous about seeing her again? Given...”

“That I killed her boyfriend?” I interrupt. “Nah. It will be fine. What’s the worst that can happen?”

CHAPTER 42

Veronica