Page 103 of The Dollhouse

“We were sisters, we didn’t have to be best friends. And then you fucked my boyfriend.” I wished I could grab her hair and pull it, hit her, punch her, scream at her or something. “But, I guess you did show me what an asshole he is, and how shitty the Marbella family is, so I should thank you for it. I’m in a much better place now.”

Willow made a skeptical chuckling sound as she eyed up my hair. “Right, that’s why you dyed your hair that shitty color.”

I thought about making the comment that Wyatt liked it, but then she’d know we’d met, and I didn’t want her to bring me up to him. Guess I’d find out nextTuesday if he knew more about me suddenly. If Willow had lied to him and fed him shit about me. No, instead I said, “I like the color. I also got a big-ass tattoo. Want to see?”

“Ew, no.”

I laughed at her disgust. “Well, my boyfriend likes it.” I purposefully said one boyfriend, because I wanted to keep some cards up my sleeve for now. “And guess what? He’s tall, dark, and handsome. So much better than Bryan ever was, and if it wasn’t for you, I never would’ve met him, so thanks, sis.”

She had clearly not expected that, for she stammered out, “Uh, great. I’m so happy for you.” Even she could not think of anything else to say, having not anticipated me being back to begin with, let alone having a boyfriend who liked the new me. “If you’re back, you have to tell Mom and Dad.”

“Why? Do they miss me?”

“You made them look terrible when you ran away.” That’s exactly what I expected Willow to say, and yet it still hurt. My parents didn’t miss me; they only cared so much in that I’d tarnished their reputation here in Hillcrest by taking off.

“Maybe I’ll swing by,” I said. “Maybe not. Does this mean you don’t want to spill the beans that I’m here?”

“Fuck no,” she spoke with a quick shake of her head. “I’m not getting in the middle of it.” Ironic she had lines she wouldn’t cross now. “I’m trying to live my own life, Zoey, not yours. I’m done living in your shadow.”

“I never forced you to live in my shadow. That was all Mom and Dad.”

She stared at me then, not saying anything for a while, lips pursing. I could tell she knew I was right, yet she didn’t want to admit it. Willow didn’t want to say that, yes, our parents were the ones who’d made us this way. Agreeing with me about anything was the last thing she probably wanted to do.

I could tell she wanted to say something, she wanted to come at me with a bitchy retort, but all she did was look down and check her phone, seeing the time. In the end, Willow muttered, “I have to go.” She said nothing else, turning and walking away from me, leaving me standing alone in a hallway whose crowd had thinned to the point where no one else was around.

I watched her go, glad I’d caught her off-guard. As much as she was trying to test new waters with Wyatt, she was the same bitchy little sister I’d always known. She thought I ignored her for her whole life? Why the fuck would I want to A) hang out with my little sister, and B) be friends with someone who was always mean and rude and cold?

Because she was. Blaming me for it was stupid. She was our parents’ daughter, much more so than I was. Willow belonged here in Hillcrest, that much I knew.

Me? I didn’t. I knew I didn’t. This place… I’d outgrown it, and I’d only be here as long as I had to.

Chapter Five – Roman

Carter stood on the other side of the bedroom, his arms crossed, a frown on his face. His usual expression, in reality. I stood in front of a full-length mirror, adjusting the cufflinks on my suit. It was black on black, save for the tie, which was a dark red. The suit hugged my body tightly, illuminating the musculature beneath, the sharp planes of my shoulders.

“I still don’t understand why we can’t both go to this thing,” Carter grumbled. “Wasn’t that the whole point? To show up with sexy men on each arm and to sayfuck youto her parents? Why wait?”

After straightening my tie, I turned away from the mirror, holding Carter’s stare. I didn’t think he was thinking logically about this; did he really want to go tonight, or was he just jealous I was going alone with her? I knew, if I was in his position, I would be envious as well. Zoey would be dressed up, looking quite fuckable, and I’d get to parade her around and show her off, just as she showed me off.

That’s what Carter was jealous about missing out on, not the mingling with strangers or even meeting her parents.

“It is ultimately Zoey’s decision,” I said, moving to stand before him. “You will have your time with her. Tonight requires a delicate hand, something you don’t possess. We’re not blowing everything up tonight. We’re simply… testing the waters.”

That was as good as I could describe it. Zoey wanted to see her parents, let the high society of Hillcrest know she was back in town. Simply showing her face tonight would be enough to stir the gossip mill, which I believed was her plan.

Carter grumbled. He was still probably thinking how unfair it was, but he’d get over it.

Besides, I was certain if he came tonight instead of me, he would be bored out of his mind. Markus would get us an invitation to anything that was invite-only, using his connections in Midpark and Hillcrest, but tonight was simply a party thrown by a family at their own estate. Nothing too remarkable there.

Carter grumbled, but he didn’t say anything else. His jaw ground, and I knew something that would elevate his mood, at least for the moment. I gestured for the door, saying, “Let us find Zoey. She should be almost done getting ready.” Or I hoped she was, since she’d been working on her hair and makeup for what felt like hours already.

Perhaps that was an exaggeration. Perhaps not.

I led Carter out of the room, strolling down the hall to find the large bathroom Zoey had claimed for herself. This house had rooms and bathrooms to spare, so we each had our own chosen space, but Zoey had picked the biggest of the lot, the most spacious. Its tiled floor was made of black marble, the shower oversized and walk-in. Golden fixtures on the double vanity, a mirror with lights shining brightly above it. Even a jacuzzi tub in the corner, big enough to fit more than one person.

I rather liked it; it was the perfect bathroom that lent to fucking anywhere and everywhere.

Zoey stood before the double vanity, her pink hair curled into soft waves, a mess on the counter in front of her. She was currently in the process of putting some blush on her cheeks, having already done her eye makeup. She wore the dress she would be wearing tonight, minus the shoes. The heels sat a few feet away on the floor.

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