They Destroyed Me, Then Begged Me to Come Back Chapter 05

They Destroyed Me, Then Begged Me to Come Back Chapter 05

“That’s enough!”

Ruby shoved me back, hard.

My lower back hit the corner of a cabinet. I hit the rug and went down.

“Why? You really want to know?”

I stared at her, stunned.

“Depression, depression, depression! You think someone has the energy to babysit your act every

single day?”

“You’re exhausting, Josephine Callahan. Everyone’s busy. Are we all supposed to revolve around

your little episodes?”

“…an act.” My voice shook.

Ruby scoffed.

“Stop bringing up whatever happened in high school. That was a hundred years ago.”

“Bianca already apologized. What more do you want?”

I choked back a sob.

“I’ve never done anything to you… I begged Weston to get you your job…”

“Right! You begged him to get me an internship! And even that took you a whole week!”

Ruby threw up her hands.

“But it only took Bianca one word to get me made permanent, and then promoted to director!”

1 went still.

“You stopped mattering a long time ago, Josephine So just calm down while we’re all still patient enough to keep playing along.”

“Have a little self awareness. Don’t fall apart and then blame it all on Bianca.”

The bedroom door slammed shut in my face.

in this pathetic life of mine, the only three people who ever protected me–Mom, Weston, and Ruby

-now all stand against me

Ruby had cooked with real care. I didn’t touch a bite.

When I woke up the next morning, Ruby was already gone.

I tried the doorknob. Locked.

Now that the mask was off, she didn’t even bother to pretend anymore.

I laughed bitterly and went back to my room.

That afternoon, the door burst open.

Weston clutched Theo’s allergy test results in his hand.

“Josephine Callahan! What did you do to my son!”

My bedroom door was locked from the inside.

Ruby stepped forward.

“Josephine! Get out here! Own up to what you did! We all know you tampered with his food!”

No answer.

“I’ll go find the key.”

Ruby turned.

Weston had already kicked the door in.

Crack!

“Josephine Callahan!”

The door swung open, splintered.

Weston’s breath caught in his throat.

I was lying still on the bed. The blood on my wrist had already dried.

Josephine?

Ruby’s hand flew to her mouth

Weston was already at my side, lifting me into his ams

“Start the car’ Now!

Outside the ER, they sat in a row of chairs, no one speaking

Then Mom’s eyes went red.

“That ungrateful little! All we wanted was to give Theo a birthday!”

“We already hide from her every single day just to spare her feelings, and she can’t even let us have

one birthday party!”

Bianca had her hand over her mouth. “It’s my fault..

“It’s got nothing to do with you,” Ruby waved a hand “she just wants attention, that’s all!”

“But… I’m scared this time is real.”

“Please. Since when has it ever not been an act?”

Ruby scoffed.

“We catch her every single time, don’t we?

“If you ask me, this is just another stunt to get our attention.”

Bianca pressed a hand to her chest.

“Still… I can’t shake this feeling.”

An arm pulled her gently into an embrace, Weston’s voice was steady.