Chapter 88
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“Morning, Spring.” June yawns, stretching sleepily. “What time did you come back?” she asks, rubbing her eyes. “I waited up for you, but then I fell asleep.”
I feel a slight twinge of guilt. If Peter hadn’t walked–barged–in last night, I might have spent the entire night with Nathan, leaving my sister all alone on our last night at the Ashford Manor.
After the youngest Ashford brother shared his ‘genius‘ plan and we worked out the kinks, he insisted I leave and return to my room. “I can’t reverse her elimination only to have her expelled for breaking the rules,” he’d said.
Asshat didn’t even let me kiss Nathan goodnight.
“I’m sorry, Summer,” I say, leaning forward to kiss her temple. “I had a lot on my mind.”
She sighs, cupping my cheek. “Are you still sad?”
I smile softly. “No, sweetie, I’m not.”
Not anymore, at least. What I feel now is anticipation. Nervous energy runs through me as I wait to see if Peter’s ‘genius‘ plan works.
I have no way of knowing, though. All I can do is wake up, go through the motions–for what might be the last time if it doesn’t work- and hope.
The usual stylist team arrives bright and early, although I fail to see what the point is. They’re going to put me in a model getup only to smack my ass and send me home?
Still, I go through it all without complaint, crossing my fingers and praying under my breath.
Let it work, let it work. God, please let it work.
The stylists leave when they’re done and are immediately replaced by Lucy and Jessica.
Lucy’s all teary–eyed again as she hugs June and me while Jessica forces out a brave smile. I try not to let their emotions affect me. I’m holding onto hope.
I’ve reached inside and pulled out all that hope I stuffed down a long time ago. I don’t care if it’s dangerous or stupid. The alternative is leaving Nathan, and just the mere thought closes my airways, making breathing difficult.
Since I spent the morning of the last elimination fixing my dress in the drawing room with Peter, I have no idea what the routine is.
Jessica and Lucy inform me that I’ll have breakfast with the rest of the girls, after which my phone, which was taken at the beginning of the competition, will be returned before I finally leave.
Throughout breakfast, Eliza holds my hand while her other hand grips a fork, pushing her untouched food around on her plate.
“Please cheer up,” I whisper, bumping my shoulder with hers.
She forces a smile for my benefit. “I’m good. I just…” She shrugs. “I really liked the idea of being sister–wives.”
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Chapter 88
1 smile, stubbornly hanging on to my hope, “Will you settle for being friends?”
ifer smile is a little easier, and she hands me u folded piece of paper with a phone number, “I was hoping you’d say that,”
I take it, smiling
“Do you think the Ashfords will let you be my maid of honor?” Eliza asks.
A loud scoff from across the table draws our attention. Valerie smirks unapologetically, “I don’t know which is more pathetic, the delusion that you could actually marry one of the heirs, Eliza, or the notion that you’ll ever get within five hundred yards of the Ashfords ever again, April”
Before Eliza or I can clap back, someone else speaks, “Put a sock in it, Valerie, You talk too fucking much.”
Half the table that was tuned into our interaction turns their surprised gazes at Gracie, who has a scowl on her face.
Valerie scoffs incredulously, “Really? This is how you want to leave things? After the friendship I gave you?”
Gracie snarls–actually bares her teeth like a wild animal–at Valerie. “If what you did to May and me is considered ‘friendship,’ then I shudder to think of what you do to your enemies.”
With that, Gracie stands, pushing her seat back abruptly, and storms out of the dining hall.
Valerie huffs and folds her arms, momentarily forgetting about me and Eliza.
My friend and I exchange a confused look, and I shrug, squeezing her hand,
I really, really hope Eliza wins, as much as I hope that Valerie doesn’t. I don’t think my friend can handle being sister–wives with the snake.
But I hold on to my hope. I’ll get to stay. I’ll get to marry Nathan–so Eliza will never be on her own.
After breakfast, when the girls file out, a staff member waits outside the dining hall to guide June, Rachel, and me to a study on the first
floor.
Gracie is already there when we arrive, her expression sullen.
Easton is there, too, and he hands us our seized devices. “I’m sure I don’t have to remind you of the nondisclosures you signed and reiterate that you are not to breathe a word of anything you’ve seen, heard, or done within these premises.”
“Trust me,” Gracie mumbles, grabbing her phone and laptop. “My first order of business is drinking myself into amnesia.”
Easton’s lips tighten. “Classy.”
Gracie rolls her eyes.
After that, the four of us are ushered out. My head is on a swivel, looking out for Nathan or maybe even Peter, but none of the Ashford brothers are anywhere to be seen.
My stomach sinks. What if it didn’t work? Was last night the last time I’ll ever see Nathan again? Valerie was right; if I leave today, what
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Yome close to any Ashford ever again?
Buat un lexics and Lory load mine and June’s meager luggage into the sleek black Mercedes set to take us back home, it gets harder to Hold on to the hope
And as 1 hug my maids goodbye and get into the car, as it pulls away from the mansion, I feel the hope slipping through my fingers.
“Just as well,” June whispers, leaning her head against my shoulder. “I’ve missed a ton of school.”
I choke out a laugh. I’d completely forgotten that we had a life outside this estate.
The drive out is almost as surreal as the drive in on that first day.
Except that the anxiety I felt that day is replaced by a heaviness that weighs more with the distance put between us and the mansion.
The hope I held on to finally fizzles out as the grand gates come into view.
Peter’s plan didn’t work.
Goodbye competition; goodbye luxury mansion; goodbye, Eliza, Jessica, Lucy; goodbye free and stress–free healthcare for June.
Goodbye, Nathan.
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