They Sabotaged My Future, Then Begged Me to Come Back When I Built a Better One Chapter 02

They Sabotaged My Future, Then Begged Me to Come Back When I Built a Better One Chapter 02

When Soren returned, he was holding a clear document pouch.

The moment I saw what was inside, I felt my blood run cold.

It was my SAT admission ticket.

A few days ago, he had said he was worried I might lose it and offered to keep it for me.

Back then, I thought he was being thoughtful. Now, a chill ran through me.

“Soren, give it back!”

I struggled to get out of bed. My leg was locked in a cast, and even the slightest movement sent waves of pain through me, cold sweat breaking out across my skin.

Soren stood in front of me, calm, even a little puzzled.

“Brielle, didn’t you get what I just said?”

He gave the pouch a small shake.

“If you don’t take the SAT, Vivian can sit for it without worry. What do you need this for?”

I was shaking all over. I couldn’t tell if it was from rage or pain.

“Soren, give it back… please…”

I had never humbled myself like this before, begging over and over.

“I swear, once the exam is over, I’ll leave.”

“I’ll go far away and never set foot in the Harrington household again.”

“I’ll stay out of your way for good. Okay?”

Soren stood there, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his eyes.

“Brielle, why are you doing this to yourself?”

He took out a lighter and idly flipped it in his hand.

The lid clicked open and shut, the sound sharp in the quiet room.

“Vivian just told me she had a nightmare. She dreamed you showed up at the test center and caused a scene. It scared her awake.”

“If you go and really trigger her, what if she can’t even walk into the test room?”

The flame flickered once, then went out.

“Know your place. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

I stared at the lighter, my heart clenching painfully. “No!”

I didn’t know where the strength came from. I threw myself off the bed.

Pain exploded in my leg, but I still dragged myself forward, crawling.

Just then, the hospital room door was flung open.

Vivian rushed in, her eyes red, and threw herself into Soren’s arms.

“Soren, am I useless? I can’t shake this feeling that Brielle hates me…”

Startled, Soren’s hand jerked. The small flame licked onto the admission ticket.

The fire spread fast. In the blink of an eye, it turned everything to ash.

Soren froze for a moment. He looked down at the ashes on the floor, then up at me, panic flashing across his face.

He had only meant to scare me. Burning it wasn’t part of the plan.

“Brielle, I didn’t mean to—”

Vivian’s crying cut him off, her voice rising.

“If Brielle hates me that much, then I’ll give Mom and Dad back to her too! Maybe I should just die!”

“If I died, wouldn’t that solve everything?”

She made as if to throw herself against the wall.

Soren caught her just in time. “Vivian! Stop!”

A surge of rage burst from deep inside me, burning away the last of my reason.

“Vivian, you’re insane!” I shouted as I pushed myself up from the floor, trying to stand.

Soren’s expression turned cold in an instant.

Without thinking, he lifted his leg and kicked me away.

I was sent flying backward. The back of my head slammed against the edge of the bed, and my vision went dark. Blood filled my mouth.

“Brielle!” There was a hint of panic in Soren’s voice as he took a step toward me.

“Soren…” Vivian trembled in his arms, her eyes red, looking fragile and pitiful.

But at an angle he couldn’t see, she curled her lips at me in a faint smile.

Soren stopped. He looked down at the trembling girl in his arms.

The flicker of panic vanished from his face, replaced by revulsion as he turned to me.

“Did you have to push it this far?”

“Did you really have to cause all this drama? Are you happy now?”

I coughed up blood, unable to speak. And I no longer wanted to.

Vivian continued to sob softly in his arms, her voice light and fragile.

“Soren, let’s go. I don’t want to stay here. I’m scared…”

Soren didn’t look at me again.

With his arm around Vivian, he turned and walked out of the room.