Chapter 217
“Where is that murderous bitch p>
The words echo through the house, sharp enough to cut skin. Lilly stands in the doorway like a storm given human form. Eyes wild, chest rising and falling hard, hands clenched into fists at her sides. She looks like she drove here on pure rage alone.
Noah starts, stepping away from me instinctively, his hand loosening on my wrist. “Lilly, What the hell is going on p>
She laughs, a harsh and humorless sound. “What the hell is going on? You have the nerve to ask me that p>
“Calm the fuck down.” Noah tells her, but that only seems to make her angrier.
“Fuck you, Noah! You don’t get to tell me to calm down when you’re harboring a deranged psychopathic bitch in your house p>
My eyes shift from Lilly to Noah. I don’t need her to tell me who she is referring to, but I wonder why she’s so worked up.
“You came into my house, shouting and throwing curses; you don’t get to make a damn scene. What if the twins were around?” he snaps back.
“I’m not that stupid, unlike someone I know. I already know they aren’t here,” she fires back. “Sierra already told me when I texted her earlier p>
Noah’s eyes flick to mine, and damn Lilly for throwing me under the bus.
“It doesn’t matter,” Noah says, folding his arms across his chest. “And who is the bitch you’re talking about p>
Her eyes flick to me for half a second, as if she’s asking me if he’s stupid or something. I just shrug my shoulders, because honestly sometimes I can’t with Noah.
“Brook,” she spits, the name like it’s the most venomous thing to ever come out of her mouth.
Noah frowns. “What has she done p>
Before Lilly can respond, footsteps sound on the stairs. Speak of the devil and he shall appear, but in this case, it’s ‘She‘ shall appear.
Brook appears at the top landing, arms crossed, face twisted in irritation.
“What is all this shouting about?” she demands, acting like she’s the boss and owns the whole damn place.
I don’t understand how Noah never saw her arrogance. Is it that he’s just too blind or that he ignores those pesky little characters?
That arrogance really started to surface the moment Chloe and Noah began dating. Around Noah, or any of his friends, Brook was all smiles and sweetness, soft–spoken and agreeable. The perfect sister. The harmless girl. But the second he wasn’t around, the mask slipped.
She was rude to other students, dismissive, and condescending. She carried herself like she was already above everyone else, like the rest of us were gum stuck under her shoes. She bragged about how her sister would marry into the Wood family and how she’d soon be connected to power, wealth, and influence.
Back then, I thought it was just immaturity, but it didn’t take long to realize that it was truly who she was.
She starts down the stairs, not even looking at me and then she shoves me aside like I’m nothing I stumble, catching myself on the railing, and I know she did it because Noah wasn’t paying attention. If he had been, she wouldn’t have had the guts to do it.
Before I can even react, it happens. Lilly lunges so fast I barely process it. One second Brook is mid–step; the next the sound of skin meeting skin cracks through the room.
Brook stumbles sideways with a sharp gasp, barely managing to keep her footing. My mouth falls open while Noah swears under his breath.
“What the-!” Brook straightens, hand flying to her cheek. “Are you insane p>
Lilly doesn’t answer. Instead, her face thunders over, and again before anyone can react, she lands another slap, just as vicious. 2
Brook reels back this time, eyes wide, hair disheveled, fury blazing. “You crazy bitch!” she screams. “What the hell is wrong with you p>
Noah moves forward instinctively. “Lilly p>
“Shut the fuck up before I bitch slap you next!” Lilly screams at him. 1
Brook turns to him immediately, tears springing to her eyes with practiced ease.
“Noah, I haven’t done anything! She just attacked me out of nowhere!” Her voice cracks perfectly.
Here come the manipulations. She’s just as good as her sister. She’ll squeeze out a few tears and look pitifully innocent, and Noah will fall for it, line, hook and sinker.
“Why would you hurt me, Lilly?” she whimpers like a wounded animal.
“Oh, you’re good, Brook; I’ll hand it to you” Lilly snickers. “I’ve always wondered if you learned this from Chloe or it was the other way round p>