Amelia Lane let out a mocking laugh. “Emily Blair, if you dare lay a hand on Isabella, you're basically slapping my brother in the face. You're finished—no one's going to save you."

Emily's heart pounded as she saw Andrew Lane striding toward her, his expression dark and unreadable.

Instinctively, she shrank back, retreating a few steps as Andrew closed the distance. The next moment, his hand clamped around her wrist; he dragged her out of the hospital room without a word.

Andrew's long strides forced Emily to stumble after him, barely able to keep up. She struggled, smacking his hand in protest. "Let me go! Andrew, let go of me!"

But he didn't stop. He hauled her into a deserted hallway, shoved her against the wall with such force that, if she hadn't braced her hand behind her head, she would've slammed her skull against the plaster.

Dazed, Emily opened her eyes just as Andrew seized her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. His eyes were cold and sharp, his voice tight with suppressed anger. "Still haven't learned your lesson, have you, Emily? Now you're hitting people?"

“Amelia Lane deserved it,” Emily shot back, brows knitted, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Why should I be the good girl? They're stomping all over me—am I supposed to just pretend nothing's happening?"

"I know you like Isabella Austin. And yes, Amelia's your sister. So what? Does that mean I have to swallow everything? Just let them do whatever they want?"

"Amelia Lane had people attack me-she tried to hurt me, spread lies about me online. She's not smart enough to pull that off alone. Who's pulling the strings behind her?"

“And you—you all know the truth. Amelia is the one who hurt me, but I'm the one being told to shut up. Grandpa Kevin wants me to disappear, you want to drive Jacob Gates out of town. And after everything, I haven't heard a single apology from Amelia Lane. Not a word."

"And you, Andrew." Emily's voice trembled with a bitter edge. "You know Amelia tried to have me assaulted. You know Jacob Gates saved me and took me somewhere safe. But all you see is me with Jacob, and you assume the worst."

Her eyes burned red, tears threatening to spill. Emily was never as tough as people thought; she could break down, cry, crave affection and kindness just like anyone else. Every cruel act from Andrew and his family left its mark-she wasn't numb, no matter how hard she tried to be.

She was slight, her face so delicate it could be covered with one hand. Now her eyes brimmed with tears, lips pressed tight in stubborn defiance, refusing to let them fall. She looked every bit the wounded animal—fragile, cornered, desperate to keep her pride.

Emily hated that Andrew saw her like this. She knew he wouldn't care. But she couldn't help herself.

"Tell me, Andrew-what did I do wrong? Why do you all treat me like this?"

Andrew's dark eyes bored into hers, his lips a hard line. “No matter what, you shouldn't have touched Isabella."

Pointless. Like talking to a brick wall.

Emily felt her strength drain away, leaving her empty. She knew Andrew's heart belonged to Isabella Austin, knew he despised her. And yet, she still hoped-again and again—that he might see the truth, that he might, just once, be fair. That he might notice her pain, understand her tears.