Page 109 of Broken Princess

“True, but then again, I’ve agreed to sit down and give an interview about Penn.” I flutter my lashes, letting tears well up in my eyes. “And while I was dealing with my step-father’s trial, I was sent to school with the hateful offspring of some of the most powerful families in the world. They targeted me because I did the right thing. Can you imagine how hard it is, having an entire school against you because they cared more about their bank accounts than they did the innocent people my step-father took advantage of?” I make sure I sniffle and let my voice crack in the right places.

Cutting the performance, I meet Logan’s gaze. “The internet is forever, and pictures of me are already out in the world, might as well alert the authorities and let them hunt around for proof of that.”

Bella’s phone pings and her eyes widen. Got her. “You’re a heartless cunt.” She hisses.

“I’m only what you made me, IsabelleLance.” I sweep my eyes across the group. “Like I said, I’m the only one with a copy of this information, which will stay safely in a folder.” I return my attention to Bella, giving her a pointed look. “And you can continue with the life you’ve been living.Unlessone of you comes after me.”

I stretch my hand, tossing a cold smile at Logan, as Noel links his hand with mine. I twist my lips, tossing my hair over my shoulder the way Bella does. “Bella, you can have him back now. He and his dick have outlived their usefulness.”

Noel laughs uncontrollably as he leads me away from the people who get off on breaking the weak. I'm not that girl anymore. I know I've sealed my fate going against them, but whatever's coming, I'll deal with it. Today felt good. It's a win. And I've told them unequivocally that I'm nobody's victim.

This is the last weekend I have to come home before I lock myself down to study for finals. And just as soon as the semester ends, I’m heading out of town for a few weeks. There’s someone I need to talk to, and this time it has to be done in person. But first, I need to fill my mom in on what I’ve been up to.

The house is empty and I have maybe an hour before she and Summer get home. I go to the kitchen and put a bottle of wine in the freezer before heading to my room to change out of my clothes. When I come back downstairs, I have all my research notes and pictures with me. Sitting on the couch with my feet tucked under me, I order dinner, then read through my information, making sure I’ve got my thoughts lined out in a logical order.

I’m still grappling with what I’ve learned so far, and I’m expecting them to have a ton of questions. A lot of which I probably can’t answer. Hopefully, I can persuade mom to visit Pepper with me. And a trip to Italy with her and Summer wouldn’t be a bad idea. I’d like as many perspectives as I can get before deciding on how to proceed. If Pepper’s right, next school year I’ll need to decide about my future, and it has nothing to do with art or journalism.

Stepping forward and starting the process to validate my identity could help us get our lives back. But do I want the type of drama and scrutiny that will come when the cousins try to defend their claim to our share of the inheritance?

This would surely thrust us back into the public eye, and I don’t want that. Not for mom and not for Summer who’s finally feeling like people notice her as more than the phenomenal basketball player she is. A boy asked her to Prom and mom says she’s been floating around town like she’s OD’d on cupid’s arrows.

I’m trying not to let my crappy view of relationships filter into our conversations, but it’s hard. She’s a lot like I was, sweet and trusting, and I can’t stand the idea of one of those kids at her school doing to her what Logan did to me.

My baby sister will be a college freshman. Damn, where did the time go? She hasn’t formally announced her decision about school yet, but we all know she wants to be a Lady Vol. That’s the only team she’s ever really talked about.

“This is a surprise.” Mom says as she walks through the door. Summer pops by her, running upstairs without speaking.

“Hello to you, too, sis.”

“My feet are killing me, and my clothes are sticking to me. I’ll be back down after I shower.”

“Yes, please!,” Mom says, fanning her hand in front of her nose.

“Does she really smell that bad?” I cover my laughter behind my hand.

“No, but she’s damp and I want to toss those clothes in the wash.” She walks towards the kitchen, and I stand to follow her. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but why are you here?”

“Can’t a girl catch a bus and visit her family?”

“Yes, but not if the girl is you, and finals are in a few weeks. You usually insist you have to live in the library until they’re over.”

“And I will starting Tuesday, but there're some things I need to talk to you about.”

She holds the juice bottle over her glass. “Do I need something stronger than this?”

“Probably.”

“Jordanna…”

“I’m not pregnant, so it’s not that kind of talk. But wine will probably make this conversation easier to handle.”

“So that’s why there’s a bottle chilling?”

“Yes, and I ordered dinner. We’ll get started when Summer’s finished with her shower.”

Mom puts the juice back and uncorks the wine. “So it’s a family meeting.”

Yeah, it is, and if Pepper is right, our family is a lot bigger and messier than we thought.

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