It Doesn’t Matter Anymore novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

“Mr. Cooke arranged a circus in the garden. He requests your presence.”

A circus? He remembered Serena loved them. He’d forgotten I hated them.

I was about to refuse when my door opened. Serena walked in on Aaron’s arm. She fluttered over and took my hand. “Come on, Louisa! Aaron went to so much trouble for you. You’ll break his heart.”

Aaron watched me, expectant. “Just for a little while?”

They were a united front. A heavy dread settled in my chest, but I let myself be led downstairs.

A fire–breather performed on the lawn, flames roaring. The heat washed over us.

Serena clung to Aaron’s arm, whispering. He gently wiped her cheek, his attention wholly on her. I stood apart, invisible.

His phone rang. He murmured to her and walked away to answer.

My eyes were locked on the flames. A deep dread coiled in my gut.

I looked at Serena. The sweet sister was gone. In her place was a stranger with a twisted, triumphant smile.

She lunged. Her fingers dug into my arm as she yanked me toward the safety rope and the blistering heat beyond. “Let go!” I screamed, clawing at her.

Then, in one motion, she let go of me–and with a earsplitting shriek, threw herself closer to the fire. “AARON! HELP!”

He dropped his phone, crashed through the rope, and snatched her up.

Once steady, his face darkened. He whirled and slapped me. “You tried to kill her!” he roared.

He didn’t wait. Enraged, he shoved me hard. I fell backwards. My shoulder grazed the edge of the flames. I screamed–a raw sound of agony.

The sound made him freeze. He looked down at me, and for a second, horror flashed in his eyes.

But Serena whimpered, clutching her chest. “Aaron… Louisa’s hurt worse… help her first…”

That was all it took. His gaze flicked to me with disgust, then back to her. “Take her to the car too,” he ordered his guards. “We’re going to the hospital.”

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