Chapter 33: At Least He Won’t Sell Me out for Two Hundred Million
Summer’s POV
Knock. Knock. Knock.
‘Summer, open the door. We need to talk.”
‘Summer, I know you’re home. I saw you come back.” Another series of knocks, more insistent this time. “Everyone’s worried about last night. Where did you go? Why didn’t you answer anyone’s calls? Do you know how worried Victoria was?”
A bitter laugh came out from my mouth. “Worried? What’s there to be worried about? Disappointed that Charles Windsor didn’t get what he wanted?” The audacity of them – to act concerned after what they tried to do.
Through the peephole, I watched his perfect facade crack slightly. The memory of last night made bile rise in my throat – not just Elizabeth and Richard’s betrayal, but Alexander’s role in it all. If Brandon hadn’t shown up when he did… The thought sent ice through my veins. My own family. They were willing to sacrifice me for money.
“God.” I pressed a hand to my mouth, fighting back a wave of nausea. That was Grandpa George’s birthday party. If anyone had seen me with Charles Windsor… my life would have been over. They didn’t just try to sell me they tried to destroy me completely.
–
“Summer, let me explain.” Alexander’s voice took on that reasonable tone he used when trying to manipulate me. “I really didn’t know what happened last night. Victoria said you disappeared, your room was locked, we were worried…*
“Bullshit! Alexander.” My voice came out steady despite the way my heart hammered against my ribs. “I’m not a child anymore. I can tell right from wrong. You were there last night – we both knew it. No need to put on an act.” The way he stands there, still thinking he can control the narrative. Still thinking I’ll believe whatever story he spins.
“Trading me for Windsor’s two hundred million dollar investment? Keep dreaming!” The words tasted like poison. “Just go away. I
don’t want to see you.”
“Summer!” His composure cracked further, real emotion bleeding through. “What happened to you? You’re like a hedgehog, all spikes! We’re all trying to help you!”
The laugh that burst from my throat sounded almost hysterical. “Help me? Haven’t you done enough damage?” Three years of my life wasted on this man. Three years believing in a love that never existed.
“Alexander, please leave. Just hearing your voice makes me sick!” And it does – physically sick, like my body is rejecting every memory of
him.
There was a moment of tense silence. Then: “Do you have another man?”
My heart skipped a beat. Brandon.
“I saw you get out of a Bentley.” Alexander’s voice had taken on an edge I’d never heard before. “Were you with him last night? Where did you go?”
“Enough!” The word exploded from me like a bullet. “Who I’m with is none of your business. The jealousy in his voice – after everything he’s done, he still thinks he has some claim on me?
–
How is it not my business? I’m your-
“My what?” I cut him off, anger giving me strength. “Or did you forget? You’re Victoria’s fiancé now.” The words don’t even hurt anymore. Maybe that’s the strangest part – where there used to be pain, there’s just… nothing.
1/3
Chapter 33: At Least He Won’t Sell Me out for Two Hundred Million
“There’s nothing left to discuss between us. I remember everything om last night, and I’m not someone you can manipulate so easily. Go tell my sister she better watch her step if I get the evidence of her pulling anything like this again, I’ll make sure she regrets what she did to me!”
My mind drifted to childhood memories
wo
all those times my parents favored Victoria, all those quiet afternoons with Grandpa
George. “Chess teaches you to think clearly,” he’d always say. “To see what you really want.” The memory brought unexpected tears to my eyes. He always knew, didn’t he? That someday I’d have to learn to stand up for myself.
“I’ve always seen you as a younger sister,” Alexander was saying, his voice softening in that way that used to make my heart flutter. “That year you were in Europe, we spent more time together, and things just…”
“So you decided to get engaged while I was away?” The bitterness in my voice surprised even me. “The whole of Manhattan knows you’re engaged to Victoria. And what about me? In everyone’s eyes, m the homewrecker who tried to steal my sister’s fiancé?”
Do you even know who that man is?” Alexander demanded.
Something warm bloomed in my chest as I thought of Brandon’s quiet strength, his unwavering protection. “I know he’s better than you better than all of you. At least he won’t betray me. At least he won’t sell me out for two hundred million dollars!”
“Better? You barely know him! How long have you even known this man?”
“Enough, Alexander. If you don’t leave, I’m calling the police.” I was done with this endless cycle of confrontation. Nothing good could come from dragging this out any longer. But Alexander had always been stubborn, incapable of letting things go.
He kept calling my name through the door, his voice carrying down the hallway. I caught fragments of neighbors‘ conversations as they passed, their whispers adding to my mortification.
What’s the point of all this? I let him continue his tirade, refusing to engage. The silent treatment had never worked with Alexander before, but I had nothing left to say to him.
His voice took on an edge of desperation. “Summer, open the fucking door! Do you think running away solves anything?”
“Excuse me, sir. Are you a resident here?”
The unexpected question cut through Alexander’s rant. Two police officers had appeared in the hallway, their expressions professionally neutral as they sized him up.
“We received a complaint about a disturbance,” one of them continued. “Sir, if you’re not a resident, we’ll need you to come with us.”
I listened to their footsteps fade away, Alexander’s protests growing fainter until finally, blessed silence fell. The tension drained from my shoulders as I leaned against the door, exhausted.
My phone sudden rang. An unknown number flashed on the screen. After a moment’s hesitation, I answered. “Hello?”
“It’s me.” His deep voice sent an unexpected wave of calm through me.
“Brandon?”
“Mm. Is he gone?
“Did you…” I glanced at the security guard through the peephole. “Did you call the police? Are you still nearby?”
