Chapter 35 Game On
Serena
I deserved the Most Embarrassed Girl award.
A gold medal, a trophy, a parade float. You know, all the works.
Despite the cramps still trying to fold me in half, I’d waited and waited.
I’d curled up myself on the bathroom floor like a discarded towel, hoping Saint and Sin would come back for me because I couldn't very well leave on my own. They didn’t, and I really couldn't blame them, Sin, especially.
Mrs. Hale found me instead. She didn’t say anything as she draped a blanket over my shoulders, helped me to bed, and left a hot water bottle pressed to my stomach before quietly closing the door.
There were no lectures or pity from her.
I missed the rest of Mr. Rivers’ birthday entirely.
Then proceeded to lock myself in my room for two full days.
Because of me, Saint had nearly missed their own father’s party. Mrs Hale told me that Sin had had to choose between handing me over for punishment and paying for his mistake.
The mistake? Sneaking into the party to come find me.
No one knew why he'd done it, but it was because Saint had asked him to come over. Because of me.
I grew tired of hiding eventually so on day three, I dragged myself out of bed, threw on leggings and an oversized hoodie and decided to show my face.
Color me shocked when I reached the top of the stairs and realized the house was alive with another party.
Music thumped low through the walls, and laughter floated up from the living room.
Balloons, black and gold this time, bobbed against the ceiling like they were mocking me.
How was there another party when they'd just hosted one three days ago?
Everyone here was underdressed. The ladies mostly. It was a Tuesday afternoon, so it meant Saint wouldn't be around due to work. But Sin…
I tiptoed forward, scanning the sea of gyrating bodies for signs of any familiar face.
I tried to duck behind a pillar, a classic hide-and-seek move, but it was too late. I'd moved too quickly without thinking and those who were not dancing had seen me already.
I spotted Lara's hair. She was perched on the arm of the leather sofa like she owned the damn thing.
Her legs were crossed, the red dress she wore riding high, one manicured hand resting possessively on….. wait… Sin? Sin was out in the midst of these people?
Did they think it was Saint? What was really going on here?
Her hand rested on Sin’s arm while she stroked his thigh.
Sin sat sprawled beneath her, his legs wide, one arm draped along the back of the sofa, the other holding a glass of a blood-red wine.
He looked dangerously bored. The second his eyes found me across the room, the boredom vanished.
Lara followed his gaze and scrunched up her face.
I couldn’t read the look in Sin’s eyes, but whatever it was, he was fighting tooth and nail to stay seated.
His jaw was locked so tight I could see the muscle there jump. His fists clenched on his thighs like he was physically anchoring himself to the sofa.
Lara caught the shift in the air too.
She glanced at him, then signaled to some random guy drifting past with a tray of drinks. She leaned in to whisper in his ear.
The guy nodded fast and practically jogged to the DJ booth.
A second later the music dropped. It was cut mid-beat, leaving the room ringing with sudden silence.
Lara rose from Sin’s lap like she was stepping onto a stage.
She smoothed her dress, tossed her hair, and walked straight to the center of the living room, her heels clicking like she owned every square inch of marble under them.
The chatter died as everyone turned to watch her.
“I have good news for everyone,” she announced with a smile, her voice carrying effortlessly through the now-quiet room. “Serena here is going to be nice to all of us tonight.”
She turned slowly, making sure every eye in the place landed on me.
What was she going to do? I'd broken the deal, was she going to make a federal case out of it? God, I hoped she wouldn't drop the secret in this room all with these people.
“She’s going to take pictures and videos of us. She'll make sure no one gets left out of the fun.”
Her gaze slid to me. “Isn’t that right, Serena? You’re going to be our little photographer for the evening. Capture all the memories. Make sure everyone gets their perfect shot.”
A ripple of laughter rolled through the crowd even though nothing she said was funny.
Lara tilted her head, her wicked smile widening.
“Come on, sweetie. Don’t be shy. Grab your phone. Start snapping.”
She gestured toward me like she was inviting a child to play.
“After all… you’re part of the family now, aren’t you?”
Sin said nothing. He was acting like a different person and I wanted to know why.
“I won't repeat myself again. Waste one more second and I'll blow up everything.” The meaning of her threat wasn't lost on me.
Sin arched a brow, but remained silent.
I stepped forward and went to meet her. She handed me her phone, leaned forward and said in my ear, “You ruined our deal by intentionally staining your dress so you could lure Saint and Sin away. That is the story I gave Mr and Mrs Rivers. Nothing you can say will change their minds. And, oh, everyone here thinks this is Saint and that we're back together.”
“Fine, but know this, you're not getting away with any of this.” I turned my face and snarled at her.
She blinked, then moved away. “Get in your best character, everyone. Our photographer is ready and active.” She said, stretching her arms wide.
“What's the party for, even? Sin isn't supposed to be here.” I hissed under my breath, throwing a subtle glance in Sin's direction.
He was trapped as much as I was. The almighty Sin who was the embodiment of darkness, trapped in Lara's twisted display of ownership.
“You're now possessive of him? Everyone thinks it's Saint. And it's a deal between us. To let people know we're back together. He knew I wasn't bluffing when I said I'd release the recording. He listens to me, Serena.” She winked at me, then
to the DJ, she said, “Blow the speakers!”
As the music resumed, the bass pounding in my ears, I came to a resolve.
She wanted to play this game, then we could play.
I was done being the weak, cornered prey.