Chapter 11
She recalled how Adrienne used to be the ringleader in bullying her, picking on her like she was their punching bag back in high school.
But Vincent had her back then.
She fell for Vincent, especially when Adrienne and her posse cornered her in the bathroom over her pretty bracelet and started kicking her around. Vincent busted through the ladies‘ room door with a kick and whisked her away.
In those moments, she felt like Vincent was a beacon of light. But eventually, that light would never shine on her again, and no one would ever pull her out of the darkness again.
Maybe that was the punishment she deserved.
She’d coasted through over twenty years as a pampered rich girl, dodging the reaper, living on borrowed time.
It was the Grim Reaper’s way of settling scores.
Kristin had a congenital heart defect and needed surgery right after her birth, and back then. heart surgery cost an arm and a leg.
Kristin’s birth mom didn’t have that much cash and couldn’t bear to watch her little girl die, so in a desperate move, she switched Kristin with Ruby, who was born as Ms. Turner, giving them each other’s lives.
With the Turner family, Kristin got a second shot at life. So, she knew she owed the Turner family and Ruby.
If her mom hadn’t swapped their lives, Ruby would be the one living the princess’s life.
Kristin needed to atone. She had to make amends.
“Kristin, dumpster diving? Hard up for cash?” Adrienne taunted, giving Kristin a shove. “Cut the crap. Don’t play dead.”
Kristin’s vision went dark. Her heart was racing.
“Got a job for you. Back to your roots and sleep with men for money.” Adrienne sneered, eyeing the rich boys behind her. “Indeed, she’s got a pretty face. Didn’t Tam have a thing for her in high. school? Call him over for some fun. Tell him she’s an easy girl now. Anyone can get her into bed with cash.”
Kristin gasped for air, wanting to fight back, but their laughter and mockery made her wish she could vanish.
Summer was still waiting for her at home.
“Adrienne, she looks off…” one of the rich girls muttered. “Let’s not stick around for trouble. Let’s bail.”
Chapter 11
“Isn’t Ruby using us to do her dirty work? She has Vincent watching over her now, sending us to bully Kristin. And if anything happens, we’ll take the fall?” another girl with more sense whispered.
Adrienne got scared seeing Kristin wasn’t faking it and bolted. “Damn it.”
The surroundings quieted down, and Kristin curled up in pain.
Who would come to save her?
It hurt. It hurt so much.
A black sedan pulled up from the Haywood family and stopped nearby.
York got out of the car, worried, and ran over. “Miss, are you alright?”
Kristin’s voice was hoarse. “Medicine…”
Seeing Kristin’s pale face, York quickly grabbed a bottle of water from the car and fished out a small pill bottle from her pocket, helping her take a pill.
Lying on the ground for a while, Kristin slowly came back around.
Propping herself up, she whispered, “Thanks.”
Seeing she was okay, York finally relaxed. “You should go to the hospital.”
Kristin didn’t respond but kneeled on the ground, weakly picking up scattered bottles.
Summer was still waiting for her at home.
Rhett had stayed in the car, frowning as he watched Kristin.
The once radiant Ms. Turner had come down to this state.
“Got any cash?” asked Rhett.
York got back in the car only to hear Rhett’s stern question.
Startled, York searched around, wondering how much he got. “Just… ten bucks.”
“Give it to her,” Rhett said, annoyed.
York was shocked. Since when was Mr. FitzGerald so generous?
He hurriedly returned and gave Kristin the ten bucks. “Sorry, I don’t have much cash on me.
Kneeling on the ground, Kristin looked up at York, her eyes welling up. “No, I don’t want it.”
Pathetically, she still tried to retain some dignity.
She continued picking up bottles, leaning on the trash can to stand, rummaging for some cardboard to sell.
Chapter 11
Watching Kristin limp away, York strangely felt a pang of sadness. She was quite the looker. What was she doing picking through trash?
York returned to the car and said to Rhett, “Mr. FitzGerald, she didn’t take it.”
Rhett seemed annoyed, perhaps regretting his intervention.
Seeing Rhett stay silent, York drove off, disgruntled.
“Stop the car.” Passing a dessert shop, Rhett spoke again.
York paused, puzzled. What was happening again?
“Go get some and take it to her.”
York was even more stunned, wondering what had gotten into Mr. FitzGerald.
Maybe he was overjoyed from finding Hertha, so he was suddenly all hearty?
