Chapter 2

"I've told you a hundred times that Cassidy and I grew up together. She's like a sister to me and a son—well, a daughter—to my parents!" Felix argued.

It was the same old tune again. In the past, whenever we got into a fight because of Cassidy, Felix would insist that I try to understand his relationship with her or to put up with it and not make a fuss.

I tolerated their relationship until now, but instead of showing remorse, he took his dynamics with Cassidy to new heights. If I were to marry Felix and be part of his family, I could very well be forced to swallow even more bitter pills in the future.

The scions of the Johnson, Ludwig, and Rathbone families kept sending me texts, as eager as they were polite. I weighed my options and suddenly realized there was no reason for me to limit the marriage pool to Felix.

I lifted my chin, my gaze boring into his. "Let's break up, Felix."

"What?" Felix's eyes widened.

Before he could wrap his head around my words, Helen interjected with a sneer, "Well, who do you think you are, a princess? How dare you break up with my son?

"How popular do you think you are? Let me teach you a bit of history. Back in the day, women weren't even allowed to dine at the table unless they were family!

"We've been more than gracious to you!"

I shook my head at her words. It was one thing for Felix's family to be close-minded and ignorant, but another for Helen to keep running her mouth.

"Even if you were to break up, I'll make it clear that it was Felix who dumped you! Break up, for all I care!" With that, Helen spat in my face. "Who do you think you are anyway?"

Andrew was verbally telling Helen to stop, but he didn't physically stop Helen.

Cassidy rose to her feet and rubbed soothing circles on Helen's back to calm her. "Now, now, Helen, let's not be angry. This isn't worth raging over.

"How about I buy the two of you a nice meal at a restaurant later?"

I'd made the same suggestion when I arrived at the Zimmerman residence that afternoon, not wanting Andrew and Helen to slave away in the kitchen to host dinner.

But when I suggested eating out and that it'd be my treat, Andrew had turned me down. "Eating out is a waste of money. We'll just whip something up in the kitchen."

Helen had been nothing short of sarcastic. "I think so, too. You have no concept of money because you're not a breadwinner. In the end, you're just blowing through my son's hard-earned money."

I was so embarrassed. All I could do was twist the hem of my shirt and mutter my agreement.

But now, neither Andrew nor Helen objected to Cassidy's suggestion. The former even said approvingly, "I knew I could count on you to be thoughtful and considerate, Cassidy. You truly are the daughter we never had."

Felix stayed silent through all this, just as he had when his parents pointedly asked me to help in the kitchen earlier today. He never defended me, his silence enabling their behavior.

I was his girlfriend, yet I didn't feel half as protected or loved as I should be.

Paying no mind to their sickening hypocrisy, I left the Zimmerman residence.

Cassidy hurried after me, playing the peacemaker. "Sienna, don't leave! Helen's always been direct. Don't take it personally."

It wasn't until we were three floors down and fully out of Felix's and his parents' views that Cassidy quickened her pace. She grabbed me by my hair, pulling it tight so my scalp hurt.

I tried to break free, but her grip tightened even more. She leaned close to my ear and whispered menacingly, "You saw what happened, didn't you? Felix's parents don't like you, and you'll only suffer if you marry him.

"I suggest you remember every word his mother said today and stay the hell away from him. If not, I promise I'll make life a living hell for you!"

I tiptoed to alleviate the pain radiating from my scalp. "Do you think Felix knows how much of a shrew you are right now?"

Angered by my taunt, Cassidy raised her hand. "Talking back, are we? I'll teach you to shut up for your own good!"

The air shifted as she brought her palm down in an arc, ready to slap me hard across the face. But before she could make contact, hurried footsteps rang out in the stairwell.

Cassidy quickly drew her hands back.

Gritting her teeth, she flew down the last few steps and deliberately fell on her backside on the landing. A loud groan escaped her.