Chapter 106 You're Disgusting

Chapter 106 You're Disgusting

Chloe's POV

By the third ring of the doorbell, Saskia set down her cup. "They're here."

The door swung open. The Whites walked in, Owen trailing behind with his head down.

Luna rushed over, not daring to touch me, her lips trembling. "Sweetheart, I'm so sorry. I never thought things would get this bad."

Selwyn spoke up, helplessness in his voice. "This is on us. We failed to raise our son right. We're sorry."

Saskia sat beside me, her palm gently covering my casted hand. I understood what she meant. Stay calm. Don't lose it.

Desmond walked up to the coffee table, looking directly at Owen. "Owen, tell us yourself. What exactly did you do to my daughter?"

Owen's throat bobbed, his eyes darting away. "I… I already said I'd explain."

"Explain?" Desmond let out a cold laugh. "What do you think my daughter is to you?"

Owen backed up two steps. He glanced at me, then at Lucas, and his expression shifted—like he'd found ammunition to fire back.

"You all just keep blaming me!" Owen's voice rose. "I'll admit I messed up, but Chloe never respected me either."

Saskia frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Owen pointed at me, then at Lucas. "She's with my uncle now! You're calling me scum, but what about her?"

I'd thought I was past caring about anything Owen said. But hearing him throw that accusation out there so righteously still made my stomach turn.

Desmond didn't fly off the handle. He nodded calmly, as if he'd been waiting for Owen to say exactly that. "Who she's with is her business. You destroyed her. What right do you have to keep her trapped?"

Owen froze. "You… you're actually okay with this?"

Saskia cut in, her tone ice-cold. "We knew a long time ago you weren't good enough for her. We just didn't realize how far you'd sink."

Owen's mouth opened, utterly blindsided. "You're all insane? You're actually fine with her being with my uncle…"

Desmond stepped forward, his presence commanding. "What's wrong with her being with Lucas? I'd say he's more of a man than you'll ever be."

Owen's face twisted with humiliation. "Fine. Great. I'm out of here."

He stormed out without looking back.

Luna stood by the door, tears streaming down her face. She looked back at me, her voice breaking. "Chloe… I'm truly sorry. You've always been such a good girl."

My throat tightened. I could only nod. "What happened between Owen and me isn't your fault. You don't need to apologize."

Selwyn looked at me, guilt heavy in his voice. "Take care of yourself. If you ever need us…"

Desmond cut him off. "Please leave. We're done here."

Luna pressed her lips together, then turned to Lucas with pleading in her eyes. His tone was steady. "I'll take care of her."

Selwyn pulled Luna along, murmuring, "Let's go." They left with heavy steps. The moment the door closed, the house finally fell silent.

Desmond went to the kitchen. Saskia pulled me into a gentle hug. "Honey, go upstairs and rest."

I shook my head. "I'm not tired." I just felt empty. Numb.

Lucas checked that I was okay before speaking. "I'm going to grab a few things from my place. I'll come back tonight to stay with you."

Saskia glanced at him. "Drive safe."

He nodded, walked over, and lowered his voice. "Don't put your phone on silent."

I murmured, "Okay."

He stepped outside. I heard his car start and pull away.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed. Owen's name flashed on the screen. Cold sweat formed in my palms.

I pressed 'answer' but didn't say anything.

Heavy breathing came through the line, his voice volatile. "Come out, Chloe. Let's end this."

I glanced inside. Saskia was tidying up. Desmond was still in the kitchen.

"I don't have anything to say to you," I said flatly.

"Yes, you do!" Owen's voice shot up. "That bar near campus. If you don't show, I'll keep calling. I can also go to your professors, your classmates. I don't mind making this a total spectacle."

I closed my eyes. Exhaustion weighed me down.

"Just half an hour. If you don't come, I'll take that as proof you know you're guilty."

The call ended. I stared at the black screen and let out a quiet sigh.

I grabbed my jacket and bag, heading for the door. Desmond came out of the kitchen. "Where are you going?"

"Just running out to grab something."

I knew this street too well. That bar was Owen's old stomping ground. I'd tagged along before, sitting quietly in a corner with soda water, listening to them get rowdy, waiting until Owen had enough to drink so I could take him home.

I pushed open the bar door. The air was thick with alcohol, fried food, and perfume—stifling and sharp.

Owen sat in the far booth, the seat beside him empty. When he saw me, he crooked his finger. "Come here."

I didn't sit. "Say what you need to say."

Owen's eyes were bloodshot, haggard and unhinged. "Are you really with him now?"

"That's none of your business."

He let out a low, cutting laugh. "None of my business? You're sleeping with my uncle, and you say it's none of my business?"

My stomach turned. "Don't use those words."

"What, too harsh?" He stood, stepping closer. "Now you're playing innocent? You used to be so sweet. Now you've learned to talk back. Did he teach you that?"

I turned to leave.

Owen grabbed my arm, squeezing until it went numb. "Don't walk away. Hear me out."

I struggled. "Let go of me!"

He dragged me toward a narrow hallway leading to a storage area. The lighting was dimmer here, the noise from outside completely cut off. Quiet. Suffocating.

My chest tightened. I stopped moving.

Owen held me in a vice grip, reeking of alcohol. "You think I wanted to get tangled up with Stella? She's the one who kept throwing herself at me. She seduced me, cried, played the victim—"

"Stop blaming everyone else for your mistakes. It's disgusting."

His eyes darkened, fingers tightening. "Say that again."

I took a breath and enunciated clearly. "You're disgusting."

Owen shoved me hard against the wall. My back slammed into it. My casted right hand smashed against the doorframe. Sharp, blinding pain exploded through me. My vision went black.

My throat tightened, blocking any sound. The hallway was empty. All I could hear was my own frantic heartbeat.

The suffocating feeling from three years ago came flooding back. Dark. Confined. No escape.

My hands and feet went cold. I was so panicked I couldn't even scream.

Owen leaned in slowly, his breath washing over my face, taunting. "Are you frightened, or just putting on a pitiful act?"

I raised my left hand to push him away. He grabbed my wrist and pinned it against the wall.

"When you're with him, do you play the victim like this too? Chloe, you—"

The next second, a heavy punch slammed into Owen's face.