Wait…Why Did Everyone I Love Suddenly Call Me a Bitch?! novel Chapter 65

Chapter 6

He turned around.

When he saw me, his face went from calm to shocked to straight-up disbelief.

“Sloane?” His voice cracked. “Is that… really you?”

I looked at him, my face like stone, and nodded toward the painting.

“Mr. Brooks. Want to check it or what?”

He stared at me for a second, then rushed over and got way too close. His eyes were doing that thing where he was trying to look sad and sorry-I didn’t want to see it.

“Sloane, these past years… are you… are you okay?”

“I’m alive,” I said flatly. “Thanks for asking.”

He flinched like I’d slapped him, then reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope.

“Sloane, I know I fucked up. I know. There’s ten grand in here. I know it’s not enough, but just… let me start somewhere. Please.”

I looked at that money. Suddenly started laughing.

Ten thousand?

He thought ten grand could pay back everything my family did for him?

Could erase the eight years my mom spent in that bed?

Could make up for me clawing my way through hell every single day?

“Garrett,” I looked him straight in the eye. “You think your guilt is only worth ten thousand dollars?”

He froze. Couldn’t say a word.

I put the painting on the table. Said flatly: “I’m not selling. And I don’t need your charity. I may be broke, but I’m not that desperate.”

Then I turned to leave.

He grabbed my wrist, voice shaking: “Sloane, please. Don’t be like this. I know I fucked up. Just give me one chance to make it right. Please.”

“Make it right?” I yanked my arm away. Turned back to look at him coldly. “My mom’s been in a hospital bed for eight years. Did you visit her even once? Garrett, what the hell gives you the right to talk about making things right?”

His whole body went stiff, Face drained of color,

I didn’t look back again. Just walked straight out of that gallery,

I took a deep breath.

That suffocating weight I’d carried for eight years finally lifted a little.

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Wait… Why Did Everyone I Love Suddenly Call Me a Bitch?!

A week later, I got a big commission.

Some wedding planning company wanted me to do scene design and live sketching for this high-end wedding.

Pay was really good.

No reason to say no.

But when I got to the meeting and saw the bride’s name on the contract, I froze.

Bride: Harper Sullivan.

Groom: Garrett Brooks.

I stood there feeling like all the blood in my body had turned to ice.

The coordinator saw my face change. Asked with concern: “Ms. Carter, are you okay? Feeling alright?”

I shook my head, took a deep breath and said: “I’m fine. Let’s get started.”

Run? Why the fuck would I run?

Maybe this was fate giving me a chance to settle things once and for all.

Next few days, I threw myself completely into the work.

Harper wanted a “Pure White Romance” theme. Wanted the venue covered in white roses and crystals. As dreamy as possible.

I looked at her reference photos. Laughed to myself.

A homewrecker who clawed her way up through lies and manipulation wants to use “pure white” to describe her love story?

Fucking ironic.

Day before the wedding, I brought my team to do final setup at the venue.

Evening time, Harper walked in on Garrett’s arm to check things out.

Designer outfit. Perfect makeup. Total successful woman energy.

When she saw me, she paused for a second. Then this knowing smile spread across her face.

She walked right up to me, looking me up and down-taking in my paint-stained work clothes-and said in this condescending tone: “Oh my god. Sloane? No way, You’re the one doing my wedding?”

She stopped, put her hand over her mouth like she just thought of something.

“Wait, I’m such an idiot. You didn’t go to college, right? But I mean, hey, at least you’re still drawing or whatever. That’s cool. Right, babe?”

Garrett stood off to the side looking uncomfortable, He frowned and said: “Harper, come on. Don’t-”

“What? I’m not being mean, I’m just saying.” Harper turned to me, fake innocent smile plastered on.

“Sloane, you’re not upset, are you? Because honestly, I should be thanking you. Like, if you hadn’t… you know… moved on back then, Garrett and I wouldn’t even be here right now,”

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Wait… Why Did Everyone I Love Suddenly Call Me a Bitch?!

She held out this fancy invitation, practically shoving it in my face.

“So yeah. Come tomorrow, okay? Celebrate with us. Have a drink. It’ll be fun.”

Movements all graceful, but her eyes were full of showing off and contempt.

I looked at her fake-ass face. Looked at Garrett just standing there letting it happen.

All the anger I’d been holding in for days finally exploded.

I raised my hand and slapped her across the face as hard as I could.

The crack echoed through the whole ballroom.

Everyone froze.

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Wait… Why Did Everyone I Love Suddenly Call Me a Bitch?!

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