#Chapter 6 Susan’s Tricks

Ardal This is ridiculous. I can’t believe that Susan is really trying to test my identity by having me flash some little prize. However, I know she’s just trying to trip me up, figuring that I’m incapable of producing the medal. But this isn’t the worst stunt Susan has ever pulled. I know she’s capable of so much worse, which causes me to sigh. “So if I can prove that I’m Chelsea by showing the medal…then you’ll apologize?” I ask, scowling at Susan. She’s offering another game. However, I won’t let her get the best of me. Susan won’t bully me again - she already did that enough six years ago. I promised myself that if she tried again that I would stand my ground, retaliate as needed. I won’t be the woman who stands by and watches bad things happen to her anymore. I have a voice and I plan to use it. And that’s exactly what I plan to do now. However, it’s not Susan who answers my question. “If you don’t show us the medal then you’re not going to like the punishment,” Kadeem states firmly, pressuring me as he stands. He even takes a step toward me, sending my head into a small daze. I can smell him, his scent wafts toward me with his single step. It’s been six years and I thought I’d forgotten that scent, but Kadeem proves me wrong as he continues to fill my nose. It makes my stomach feel sick as I try to keep my knees steady. I can’t allow that scent to affect me now - I need to stand my ground. Kadeem may have been my world once, but that’s no longer the case. I spent years dulling the pain he’d left behind, eventually making sure I no longer love the man in front of me. We have nothing to do with each other anymore. I’m not even here because of him - the only reason I came is to make money so I can do what’s best for my babies. I won’t allow my plans to be ruined by Kadeem and Susan. However, I can see Kadeem’s anger as he notices my hesitation, causing him to lose his patience. “I guess you are guilty,” he snaps out, seeing I haven’t come up with the medal. He then turns to the security, waving them forward. “Bring this fraud to the police station immediately.” “I’m not a fraud,” I cut in, snapping out of my trance. My words cause everyone to stop as their gazes return to me. Fine. If Susan wants to test me - then let her. These last six years I haven’t just been working on my physique, but also confidence. I won’t back down from a challenge - not anymore. I make sure she knows it too, causing me to give her another glare as I reach into my bag. There, my fingers quickly find what they’re searching for, allowing me to pull out the medal waiting inside. As I hold it up, I can hear a few quiet gasps as everyone takes in the prize. “I am Chelsea Quinn,” I state, showing the medal proudly. Carrying around the medal in my gym bag always seemed a little silly, but I’m thankful for it now. Usually, I only brought it out to show fans when they asked, but today it’s serving another purpose. “Maybe you should be more patient and not be dazzled by love so easily,” I continue, planting my gaze right on Kadeem. I keep my features tight as I nod toward Susan, indicating exactly what I mean. “You’re too lovesick to believe your girlfriend could tell a lie,” I throw out then. “You really shouldn’t be so dense.” My words are harsh, and I can see the stunned expression everyone wears due to my words. No one ever dares to accuse or call out an Alpha, and I’ve just done it in front of a whole crowd. And, damn, does it feel good. It’s something I should have done a long time - admittedly. But I’d been too in love with Kadeem to ever try and speak up. That’s all different now, though. I watch as Kadeem’s lips press into a firm line, as if he’s preparing to yell at me. But once more, I show how little he concerns me as I turn toward Susan instead. She wears a mix of emotions as she gazes up at me. It’s evident that she’s shocked - likely from learning I wasn’t lying and I am truly Chelsea Quinn. But she’s also relieved - which I assume is because she can confirm I’m not someone else. Maybe she had suspected my true identity by some hint of resemblance. But now her doubt is officially gone. “I proved my identity,” I say then, tucking the medal away. “Now apologize.” Susan blinks at me, obviously too stunned to speak. But then I watch as her expression smooths and she glares at me - apparently not ready to give in. I’m ready to pressure her again, but then I watch as her head suddenly falls back, her cries soon piercing across the room. “The baby,” she complains, clutching her stomach as she rocks. “I think something is wrong. Kadeem, you need to take me to the hospital!” Oh for Goddess sake. I can tell immediately that Susan is lying, putting on a show so she doesn’t have to apologize. This woman will stop at nothing in order to avoid admitting she’s wrong. I scoff at her, unconvinced. “I don’t think aphasia needs a doctor’s diagnosis or treatment,” I say impatiently. “Or are you hoping that the doctor can help you repair your thick skin?” My mocking causes the crowd around me to break out in laughter. I’m so pleased by the sound that I show a small smile, my arms folding over my chest. Only, Susan does not share my contentment. She’s pissed - glowering at me as the laughter continues. However, as it dies down, I narrow my eyes at her as I press her again. “Apologize,” I state firmly. “Adults should be responsible for their words and mistakes, shouldn’t they? So apologize.” She shouldn’t be allowed to get away with this. It’s ridiculous. Everyone with a brain should be able to tell it’s all just an act of immaturity. Especially Kadeem. Growing up, he was always quick-witted, smarter than anyone I know. However, he somehow believed every lie that Susan told without fail. I never understood it before, and I’m waiting to see if he’s different now. I look to him, waiting for his response as I still hear Susan’s wails. “Ah…my stomach - it hurts,” she tries, rocking again. But then her voice becomes more weak, breaking. “Kadeem…help me.” I still stare at Kadeem, waiting. His features are unreadable as he looks at me, almost as he’s trying to read me as well. Only, he eventually breaks, turning toward Susan as she softly whimpers. Just like - he’s proved he hasn’t changed at all. Instead, he’s right back at Susan’s side, falling right into her web as he eyes suddenly roll into the back of her head. And then she faints right in Kadeem’s arms.