Chapter 82 The brunch trap
Chapter 82: The Brunch Trap (Elena’s POV)
I stared at the high heels Maya dropped on the bed. They looked like torture devices. My knee was throbbing, and the thought of standing, let alone walking in those, made me feel sick.
"Why are you doing this, Maya?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Why are you threatening me about my mom? I thought you were my friend. I thought you were helping me."
Maya’s face softened instantly. She dropped the "mean girl" look and sat on the edge of the bed, pulling me into a hug. "Oh, El, stop. I’m not threatening you. I’m just being realistic. You know how Julian is. He has a temper. I’m trying to protect you by making sure you don't trigger him again."
"By making me wear shoes I can't walk in?"
"By making you look like you belong!" Maya insisted. She pulled back and looked me in the eyes. "Look at you. You’re beautiful, smart, and talented. But the world sees a girl with a cane and old clothes. If you want these people to respect you—if you want Julian to treat you like a partner instead of a servant—you have to meet them at their level. I want you to be one of us, Elena. I want you to have the clothes, the cars, and the safety. Is that so bad?"
She sounded so sincere that I almost felt guilty for doubting her. She helped me into a tight, expensive-looking dress and spent another twenty minutes forcing my feet into the heels. Every step felt like walking on broken glass.
"There," Maya said, beaming. "Perfect."
She leaned me against her shoulder and helped me downstairs. The living room was full of people. I saw Chloe sitting on a white leather sofa, sipping a mimosa, while Jax was leaning against the fireplace, tossing a grape into the air and catching it in his mouth.
When I entered the room, the talking stopped.
"Look who’s back from the dead," Chloe said, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. "Maya, you really did it. She actually looks like a human being now."
"I told you I had the magic touch," Maya laughed.
Just then, the front door opened. Julian walked in. He wasn't wearing his usual scowl. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt, and in his hand was a massive bouquet of red roses. He walked straight over to me, ignoring everyone else.
"Elena," he said, his voice smooth. "You look incredible. These are for you. A peace offering for last night."
I looked at the roses. They were beautiful, but all I could see was his hand throwing my bags into the rain. "I don't want them, Julian. Take them back."
The room went silent again. I heard Jax let out a low whistle.
"Ouch," Jax laughed. "The scholarship girl has claws today. Julian, I think she’s still mad about the whole 'homeless' thing."
Julian’s jaw tightened, but he kept the smile on his face. He handed the flowers to Maya without looking away from me. "She's just tired. It's fine."
"She’s more than tired," Chloe said, standing up and walking toward me. She circled me like a shark. "She’s ungrateful. Maya gives her a room in a mansion, Julian brings her flowers that cost more than her mom's monthly salary, and she still acts like a victim. It’s a bit much, don't you think?"
"Maybe she needs the cane back," Jax teased, pointing at my shaking legs. "She looks like a baby deer trying to walk for the first time. It’s actually kind of pathetic. Hey, Elena, do a lap for us. Let's see the walk."
"Stop it," I whispered.
"Oh, come on, El, it’s just a joke!" Maya said, laughing along with them. "We’re just teasing. Don't be so sensitive. That’s why people don't like you—you can’t take a joke."
"It's not a joke when you're the punchline," I said, my voice rising. I tried to take a step away from them, but my heel caught on the rug. I stumbled, my injured knee giving out completely. I braced myself to hit the floor, waiting for the roar of laughter that was sure to follow.
But the fall never came.
A pair of strong arms caught me by the waist, pulling me upright. I looked up and saw Liam. He was soaking wet, his hair plastered to his forehead, and he looked absolutely furious.
"Get your hands off her!" Julian shouted, stepping forward.
"Or what?" Liam snapped. He didn't let go of me. Instead, he pulled me closer to his side. "You'll throw her out in the rain again? You'll let your friends mock her while she can barely stand?"
"Liam, how did you get in here?" Maya asked, her face turning pale. "I locked the gates."
"You should have changed the code to the back entrance, Maya," Liam said. He looked down at my feet and his eyes darkened. "Take those shoes off, Elena."
"She’s staying here, Vance," Jax said, trying to look tough. "She chose Maya. She doesn't want you."
"Is that true, Elena?" Liam asked, looking directly at me. "Do you want to stay here and be their toy? Do you want to stay with the people who think your pain is funny?"
I looked at Julian, who was glaring at Liam. I looked at Maya, who was still holding the flowers Julian had meant for me. I looked at Chloe and Jax, who were waiting for me to fail. Then I looked at Liam. He was the only one who didn't look at me like I was a project or a trophy.
"No," I said, my voice finally clear. "I want to leave."
I reached down, unbuckled the heels, and threw them onto the floor. I stood there in my bare feet, feeling the cold marble against my skin.
"You leave now, and you're done," Julian warned. "I'll make sure you never step foot in that hospital again."
Liam stepped in front of me, shielding me from Julian’s gaze. "My father already called the hospital board, Julian. He’s a bigger donor than your family will ever be. Elena’s mom is being moved to a private wing under our name. You have zero leverage now."
Julian’s face turned a deep shade of red. He looked like he wanted to hit someone, but he stayed back.
Liam turned to me and held out his hand. "Let’s go, Elena. For real this time."
I took his hand. As we walked toward the door, Maya tried to grab my arm. "Elena, wait! I was just trying to help you!"
I didn't even look at her. "You weren't helping me, Maya. You were just making sure I stayed small so you could feel big."
We walked out of the mansion and into the driveway. The air was cool and fresh. Liam helped me into his car and immediately cranked up the heater.
"I'm sorry I took so long," he said, gripping the steering wheel. "I had to make some calls. I had to make sure they couldn't hurt you anymore."
"You saved me," I said, leaning my head against the seat.
"No," Liam said, looking at me. "You saved yourself the minute you took those shoes off. I just provided the ride."
I closed my eyes as he pulled out of the driveway. For the first time in months, can I kiss you?Liam asked