Chapter 7

Valerie wore a mean little smile. "Maya, you saw my post, didn't you? I used to think you were above it all. Weren't you the one who wanted me gone back then? Now, look at you. To marry into the Hales, you'd swallow anything." Maya kept her eyes on the pendant, her nails biting into her palms. "Give it back!" Valerie edged the necklace farther past the sill. "If you want it, get on your knees and admit you're a bitch who pretends to be pure." "No way!" Maya shook with anger. "Valerie, you're pushing it!" Valerie laughed. "Don't you get it? I've always been like this. I've always hated that stubborn streak of yours. If you had knelt the first time, I wouldn't have spent years making your life miserable. "You saw where I stand with Cole and Carter. So, here's the deal. Kneel and beg me, and I'll hand over the necklace and even help you keep your footing with the Hales." "I'm not kneeling!" Maya balled her fists and took a step, then another. "You couldn't break me before, and you aren't going to break me now! I'll never bow to someone who treats people the way you do!" "You!" Valerie's smile grew colder. "Fine. If you don't want it, then I'll toss it." She flicked her finger. The silver chain slipped and fell. "Give it back!" Maya lunged to catch it, but she was a heartbeat too late. The pendant tipped over the edge, falling from the high floor. Maya's eyes burned so hot they felt close to bleeding. She spun to run for the stairs, but Valerie grabbed a fistful of her blouse and clung to it. With a quaver that could have fooled a stranger, Valerie pleaded, "I'm sorry, Maya. I'll stay away from Cole. Please don't push me." At the same time, a pair of furious shouts rang out from the doorway. "Maya! What are you doing?" A hand clamped around Maya's wrist hard enough to grind the bones. The next second, she was flung aside. She hit the floor on her tailbone, pain exploding through her spine and cold sweat breaking across her skin. Cole and Carter rushed to Valerie, scanning her up and down. "Valerie, are you okay?" Tears pooled and fell as Valerie bit her lip. "It's my fault. I'm sorry. Cole, maybe we shouldn't see each other anymore..." "Don't say that," Cole murmured, pulling her into his arms. "I'm not letting anyone hurt you." He lifted his head, his anger blazing as he looked at Maya. "It's been years, and you still can't let go of Valerie!" Maya's face had gone chalk white, and her breath came unsteady. "I didn't," she said, her voice shaking. "She threw my necklace on purpose. I—" "Enough!" Cole cut her off, and his eyes were full of disappointment. "Maya, you're still making excuses! Valerie has always been gentle and timid. She would never bully anyone. It's you! You got bullied, but you keep taking it out on her!" Maya widened her eyes in disbelief. "I didn't! She bullied me! It has always been her—" The slap cracked across her cheek before she finished. Numbness spread across the right side of her face, and she tasted blood. "You still won't learn!" Cole snapped, fury and disgust twisting his features. "You're already threatening to push her. If I let it slide, you'll cross an even darker line tomorrow!" With that, Cole and Carter seized her by the wrists, one on each side, and hauled her toward the door. "What are you doing?" Panic rose hot and sudden. Maya struggled, but neither of them answered. They just kept dragging her forward, fury strung taut through every muscle. As she was pulled across the threshold, she glanced back one last time and met Valerie's malicious gaze.