Chapter 226
Luna’s voice was laced with a sharp warning. “What happened today wasn’t Sienna’s fault. Your pathetic friends were the ones spewing garbage and starting a fight.
I’ve never met trust-fund babies with less class. They actually get a kick out of bullying women p>
Her anger flared higher as she spoke. “You, and those so-called friends of yours, are permanently seated in the top three of my ultimate loser list. None of you are ever washing that off.
If you came here on behalf of any of those three, you can shut your mouth right now. Otherwise, I have zero problem walking back into that jail cell p>
Jarred’s brow furrowed. His cold gaze bypassed Luna completely, landing squarely on Sienna.
“Lucas and Gideon weren’t deliberately targeting you, nor were they picking a fight out of nowhere.
Celeste is severely injured and unconscious in the ICU. Her vitals haven’t even stabilized yet.
They practically grew up with her, and they care deeply about her. They lost their composure out of panic, not because they wanted to make things hard for you p>
“Save the righteous bullshit p>
Luna spat on the ground in disgust, preparing to argue back.
Sienna raised a hand, gently stopping the furious Luna.
She looked up at Jarred, her eyes like a pool of frozen water, devoid of a single ripple.
“I was with you for seven years. Even if we weren’t inseparable, everyone knew we were supposed to be the closest people to each other.
Your friends publicly humiliating me is the exact equivalent of them slapping you in the face. Why do you think they feel so bold doing it p>
She paused, every word a surgical strike. “Because they know, deep down, that you favor Celeste.
Everyone can see it clearly. In your heart, I will never measure up to her. Your affection and indulgence for her supersede everything.
Your stance is blatantly obvious, and it’s your silent permission that enables their disrespect.
Over time, your brothers, your friends, your family—even random strangers—learned they could walk all over me without worrying about your feelings p>
Luna nodded vigorously. “If you had cared about Sienna even a fraction of the amount you care about Celeste, she wouldn’t have been bullied like this, especially by your own family!
It’s because you disrespected her and ignored her that your mother and grandmother treated her like trash p>
Jarred’s throat bobbed. For a split second, he felt utterly incapable of defending himself.
“I don’t favor her, and I have never had romantic feelings for Celeste p>
Jarred spoke quickly, his voice rougher than before, terrified her misunderstanding was deepening.
“Lucas and the others protect her because they’ve been close since childhood. Gideon has been in love with her for years. It has nothing to do with me p>
His gaze locked onto her, heavy and dark. For once, the relentless, icy exterior melted, revealing a trace of vulnerability.
“When a man cares about someone romantically, he will naturally favor them. But I have never, ever looked at Celeste that way p>
Sienna let out a dry laugh. “If Gideon has been in love with her for all these years, why hasn’t he pursued her?
Because he knows *you* like her p>
Jarred’s brow tightened.
Sienna continued, her voice unnervingly calm. “You said it yourself—a man naturally favors the woman he cares about. Isn’t that exactly how you treat Celeste p>
Before Jarred could even open his mouth, Sienna’s words poured out like water from a broken dam.
Every syllable carried a scorching heat, suffocating him.
“When I was in the hospital with a high fever, you said Celeste was in a bad mood.
On our first wedding anniversary, you were out drinking with Celeste.
When I hit my first major roadblock at work, you turned around and went to comfort Celeste who was throwing a tantrum p>