Chapter 6
Janice casually withdrew her foot, a faint smirk playing on her lips as she glanced at Reina. Her gaze held the kind of disdain reserved for a particularly laughable clon
“Apologize? For what?” Janice asked. Her tone was light yet sharp.
She filed her head slightly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Reine, you’ve been lying to yourself for so long that you’ve started believing your own nonsense. Do you really think the whole world revolves around the Lashwigs? Guess what? I’m not playing along.”
Her eyes swept over Malcolm briefly, the gesture deliberate and pointed.
“And let’s be honest, what’s so great about the Ladwig family anyway? Even if I did go back, it’s not like you’d set me up with some rich bachelor. You’d probably pawn me off to some decrepit old man. No thanks.”
Malcolm’s grip tightened around his glass, his knuckles turning white, but he said nothing
Reina’s face froze, her forced sweeness cracking. What she hated most about Janice was her ability to finish everything off with an air of indifference, if nothing and no one could touch her
She tugged at Malcolm’s sleeve, her voice sols and cousing “Malcolm, don’t mind her. She’s just upset and saying things she doesn’t mean…”
“Upser? And what does that have to do with you?” Janice interjected, her voice cutting through Reina’s like a blade. Her eyes darted between Reina and Malcolm, brimming with mockery
“But you know, Reina,” she continued with a wicked smile, “for someone who loves picking up others‘ leftovers, you’ve really outdone yourself this
time. My rejects seem to be your treasures”
The words hat their mark. Malcolm’s face darkened, his jaw tightening as his cold gare locked onto her. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Janice met his bury head–on, her lips curving into a taunting smile.
“Relax, Mr. Gomez. I didn’t name names, did I? But if you’re so eager to take offense, are you admitting you’re the one I threw away?”
She didn’t wait for a response. Instead, she turned to Kody, her tone suddenly light and playful. “Kody, let’s get out of here. This place is giving me bad
EDELLY
Grabbing her bag, she stood, her movements unhurried and graceful.
Rody hesitated briefly, glancing between Janice and Malcolm, before sighing “Alright, I’ll take you home.”
Malcolm’s gaze bore into her as she walked away, each click of her heels against the marble floor echoing in his ears like a taunt.
Reina, sensing his growing tension, leaned closer. “Malcolm, don’t let her get to you. She’s always been like this–rade, reckless, and looking for trouble. Just ignore her!
Malcolm drained his glass, the sharp burn of the alcohol doing little to quell his frustration. He said nothing, but his darkening expression made it clear he wasn’t as unaffected as Reina had hoped.
Outside, the cool night air helped clearance’s head, though the adrenaline coursing through her left her slightly unsteady. She shrugged off Kody’s
concerned with a wave
“I’m fine,” she said, though her voice lacked its usual bite.
“Are you sure? Rody pressed, watching her carefully
Janice sighed, reaching for her bag “Seriously, I’m good. Go back inside and enjoy your reunion.”
Kody didn’t move,
e, his concern evident. “You’ve been through a lot. I don’t know what happened before we met, but –
“Stop” Janice cut him off, her tone firm. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Kody hesitated, but he relented, following her to her apartment complex. “At least let me make sure you get upstairs safely,” he said.
Janice rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. She didn’t have the energy to fight him on this one.
Once inside her apartment, Janice collapsed onto the couch, her body weighed down by exhaustion and memories she couldn’t shake.
She poured herself a glass of red wine, downing it in one bitter gulp. The alcohol burned its way down her throat, but it did nothing to dull the ache in her chest.
The sharp ring of her doorbell shattered the quiet. Janice frowned, setting down her glass. “Who is te?”
“Janice, open the door.”
Malcolm’s low, commanding wole e came from the other side.
Her stomach flipped, and she cursed under her breath. What the hell was le doing here?
She called out, her tone deliberately provocative. “Malculin, showing up at a woman’s place late at night? Aren’t you worried your precious fiancée might
