Chapter 3

I couldn't speak. I clutched my chest, drawing in jagged, agonizing breaths.

Ethan asked again, his tone dripping with mockery:

"Brooke, are you still running away?"

I kept silent.

Chloe walked over and squatted beside me, her eyes dancing with schadenfreude.

"Brooke, stop being so stubborn."

"Mom and Dad aren't going to let you go. If you leave, what happens to your engagement with Ethan? What about the family business? Tell you what, I'll apologize. I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have thrown your bag or pushed you in. Please forgive me."

She held out a delicate hand, pretending to be gracious.

"Come on. Let me help you up."

I hesitated for a second, then reached out and took her hand.

Chloe flashed a triumphant smirk. The moment she tried to jerk her hand away to let me fall back on my bruised tailbone, my fingers locked around her wrist like iron cuffs.

Using her own weight as leverage, I pushed up, twisted my body, and dragged her forward.

With a massive splash, she went flying into the pool.

Water sprayed everywhere.

"I don't accept your apology."

I grabbed my dry handbag from the floor and walked away without looking back.

Chloe actually knew how to swim, yet she immediately began flailing like a helpless victim.

Seeing that, Ethan dove in without hesitation to play the savior. But as soon as Chloe got her footing, she conveniently slipped back into Ethan's arms. The two of them tangled together in the shallow end.

It didn't look like a rescue. It looked like foreplay.

I didn't care to watch.

The suitcase was completely ruined, but my passport, ID, and cards were in my handbag. Nothing could stop me from boarding a flight. All I wanted was to head to my bedroom, change into dry clothes, and get the hell out.

When I reached my bedroom door, I found it locked from the outside.

The key was jammed into the exterior lock.

It wouldn't budge.

I pounded on the wood with both fists.

"Ethan! Chloe! Open the door!"

"What the hell is this? You're locking me in my own room?"

Sure enough, Ethan's cold voice came from the hallway.

"Brooke, you went way too far this time. No matter what happened, you had no right to throw Chloe into the pool. She swallowed dirty water and feels sick. You think you can bully her and just walk away scot-free?"

"Not a chance. Apologize to Chloe, right now!"

A violent shiver ran through my soaked frame.

My temper snapped, and I kicked the door hard.

"In your dreams!"

"For ten years, you two treated me like a punching bag for your bets and pranks! I give her a taste of her own medicine once, and she falls apart? Why the hell should I apologize? Open the door!"

Instead of unlocking it, Ethan dragged two heavy hallway chairs and wedged them under the handle.

"Because I'm your fiance!"

"I refuse to marry a woman with such a toxic temper. I'll say it once more: apologize. Or consider this engagement over!"

I laughed out of sheer fury.

"Do you think I give a damn? Let me out!"

"Ethan, I am completely, utterly sick of you!"

The hallway went quiet for a beat.

Then Ethan's voice turned chillingly harsh.

"Sick of me? Brooke, who do you think you're talking to?"

"You clearly need time to cool off and reflect. When your parents get back tomorrow, I'll deal with them personally."

I refused to beg him.

I kept banging on the door, shouting toward the stairs.

"Martha! Martha, help! Let me out!"

"Martha, they locked me inside! Please unlock the door!"

...

I screamed until my vocal cords burned, but the housekeeper never came.

Instead, Chloe's voice drifted through the door.

"Save your breath, Brooke."

"I sent Martha home early. Why can't you just sit in your room and think about what you did? When Mom and Dad get back tomorrow, we'll let you out. You're fine in there, but what about me?"

She let out two frail, exaggerated coughs.

"Cough, cough... You made me choke on pool water. My head is pounding."

"Ethan, would you take me to Urgent Care? I think I'm coming down with a fever."

Ethan hummed in agreement. Before walking off, he hurled a final warning through the door.

"Brooke, don't try any tricks."

"You've got a roof over your head. Wait until tomorrow morning, and I'll unlock it myself!"