Chapter 107 Chapter 107
Chapter 107 Chapter 107
Scott stared at me for a moment, as if trying to gauge whether my excuse made any sense. I kept my face deliberately scrunched in embarrassment and pain, forcing out a tiny hiss like my toe still throbbed.
It must have worked.
The tension drained from his shoulders, and he let out a long breath, but it wasn’t one of relief, and not suspicion. Then he stepped closer and gently pulled me into his side with a protective arm.
“Oh, sweetheart…” he murmured as his hand rubbed my upper arm. “You poor thing. You have to be more careful.”
My heart twisted painfully. His concern was real. He genuinely believed me. Somehow, that made the lie feel even heavier on my tongue.
Scott looked over my head straight at Ace, his expression hardening instantly.
“Ace,” he barked. “You’re a grown person, and you’re still acting like a child. How many times have I told you to be careful around her? She’s smaller than you. You can’t just drag her around like that.”
Ace lowered his head, guilt flickering over his face even though he hadn’t actually hurt me at all.
“I know,” he muttered. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry isn’t enough,” Scott said, a sternness creeping into his tone. “I don’t want her getting hurt because you weren’t paying attention.”
Michael snorted.
“Oh, Ace,” he said with a dramatic sigh, clutching his stomach in laughter. “Hurting your stepmom now? Tsk tsk. And you call me the bad influence.”
Ace shot him a murderous glare.
“Michael,” he warned.
“What?” Michael raised his hands innocently. “I’m just saying—”
He mimicked bumping into someone and then clutched his toe dramatically.
“Ow! My toe! ACE, WHY?!” he wailed theatrically.
I felt Ace’s rage from across the room. I almost expected him to tackle Michael to the floor.
Courtney, who had been silent the whole time, finally stepped forward. She walked into the room with a hesitant, almost shy expression before stopping right next to me.
“Sabrina?” she said softly. “Are you okay? Does it still hurt?”
Her voice was warm. Concerned. Genuine.
Of all the people here, she was the one person who hadn’t mocked me or interrogated me. That alone made my throat tighten.
I forced a small smile.
“I’m okay,” I whispered, rubbing my arm as though the pain lingered. “Thank you.”
Scott gave my shoulder one more reassuring squeeze before stepping back a bit.
“You sure you’ll be alright?” he asked, eyes narrowing with fatherly worry. “Especially with Hulk...” he pointed at Ace. “...here.”
“Yes,” I replied quickly, wiping whatever fake remnants of tears were still near my eyes. “It was just a toe. I’ll be fine.”
“Good.” Scott nodded, reassured. Then he turned to Courtney. “Will you be staying for dinner, dear?”
Courtney smiled cheerfully. “If you’ll have me, yes! I’d love to stay.”
“Of course.” Scott’s grin widened. “And like I said before, make yourself comfortable. You’re always welcome here.”
He patted my shoulder one last time, glanced firmly at Ace as if silently reminding him to behave, and then he walked out of the room.
The moment he disappeared from sight, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
Michael gazed straight at me with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.
“So…” he drawled. “Sabrina. Tell the truth. Did Ace really make you stub your toe—”
He didn’t get to finish.
“Michael,” Ace snapped, voice sharp enough to cut through steel. “That’s it. Go home.”
Michael stopped mid-breath.
“What?”
“Dummy, I said go home,” Ace repeated, pointing toward the door.
A stunned silence filled the room.
Michael blinked slowly, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“You’re kicking me out?” he scoffed. “Because of one joke?”
“It’s not funny,” Ace hissed. “Just leave.”
Michael laughed incredulously.
“What is your problem today?”
“You’re my problem today,” Ace shot back. “Sabrina doesn’t need your stupid comments right now... not now.”
My breath caught.
Not now.
The way he said it was quiet, protective, almost desperate, and it sent a ripple through my chest. Courtney’s eyes flicked between all of us, confused but observant.
Michael let out a loud, offended scoff.
“So let me get this straight,” he said, waving his hands dramatically. “You’re kicking me out because I teased her? Seriously? This is a joke.”
“It’s not a joke,” Ace growled. “Michael... Leave.”
“For real?” Michael barked out a laugh. “You’re unbelievable. This is because of earlier, isn’t it? Because I said Sabrina looked jealous? Because I kept talking about Courtney?”
“Michael,” Ace snapped, taking a step toward him, “shut up and get out.”
Michael’s eyes widened, more in shock than fear.
“Wow,” he said. “Just wow. I guess I’m not wanted here.”
“You’re not,” Ace bit out.
Courtney wrapped her arm around Michael’s shoulder gently.
“Ace probably just needs some space,” she said softly. “It’s been a weird day.”
But Michael shook her off.
“No. Don’t defend him. He’s being an idiot,” Michael said, glaring at Ace. “You can’t even take a joke anymore. Ever since—”
Ace’s fists clenched at his sides. His jaw tightened. He stepped forward in a warning stance.
“Finish that sentence,” he said in a low voice, “and don’t ever talk to me again.”
Michael swallowed hard.
He seemed to realize Ace wasn’t messing around.
So instead of finishing his sentence, he shook his head dramatically and headed toward the door. He must have gone into Ace’s room to grab his jacket because he came back a few minutes later with it in his hands.
“You’re insane,” he muttered. “Absolutely insane.”
Ace didn’t reply.
He just watched silently as Michael left the room, each step punctuated by his muttered curses and exaggerated sighs.
The door shut behind him, and silence washed over the room again.
Courtney stared at the door, stunned.
“Ace?” she said softly. “What was that about? You just fought your best friend over a little joke. What is going on?”
He ignored her question.
Instead, he turned around, immediately searching for me. His eyes softened the moment they met mine. But mine hardened.
I looked away.
Courtney stepped closer to him.
“Ace, you okay?”
He didn’t answer her. Instead, he inhaled slowly and deeply like he was trying to hold himself together.
Then he turned toward me.
“Sabrina…” he began softly.
But I didn’t let him finish.
“I’m fine,” I said before he could say anything meaningful. “I’ll go wash my face before dinner.”
And without giving him, or Courtney, or anyone else a chance to respond…
I walked out.
My heart beat violently inside my chest with every step. Anger. Hurt. Betrayal. Everything mixed together in a painful swirl.
Ace called my name softly behind me. But I didn’t stop walking. Not this time.
Not anymore.