I shoved Mandie hard. She stumbled backward, gasping.
"You're the one who hurt me!" I shouted, my voice breaking. "You ruined my life!"
I didn't wait for a response. I turned and ran out of the apartment, my vision blurring with tears.
Behind me, I heard Killian's voice, sharp and angry. "Amber!"
But I kept walking. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. My chest felt like it was caving in.
I'd barely made it down the hallway when Killian caught up, his hand gripping my arm and spinning me around.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" he hissed.
"I can't—" My breathing turned shallow. Panic clawed up my throat. "My anxiety—I can't be around her—"
"Your anxiety?" Killian's eyes were cold. Hard. "You mean your excuse? Your way of avoiding responsibility?"
"Killian, please—"
"Mandie told me everything," he cut me off. "About how you bullied her. How you made her life hell in school. And now you have the audacity to play victim?"
The world tilted. "She told you what?"
"That you tormented her for years. That you spread rumors about her. That you made her feel worthless." His voice dropped, deadly quiet. "I know what you did, Amber. And frankly? You disgust me."
Each word was a knife to my chest. "That's not—she's lying—"
"Is she?" He stepped closer, his face inches from mine. "Because from where I'm standing, you're the one acting crazy. Pushing her. Screaming at her. While she's done nothing but try to be civil."
Tears streamed down my face. "Killian, you have to believe me—"
"I don't have to do anything," he snapped. "What I need is for you to go home, reflect on your behavior, and come back ready to apologize. To Mandie. For everything."
"I won't—"
"You will." His grip on my arm tightened. "Or we're done. Your choice."
He released me and walked back into the apartment, leaving me standing alone in the hallway, shaking and broken.
Two days later, Killian texted me.
Wedding dress shopping. Tomorrow. 2 PM. Mandie will be there. You two need to work this out. She is my friend and an important person in my life.
I stared at the message until my vision blurred. He was forcing me to spend time with her. With the woman who destroyed me. And I had no choice. Because without Killian, without Grandma Rosie, I had nothing.
So I went.
The bridal boutique felt like a tomb. Killian and Mandie were already there when I arrived, standing close together, laughing about something.
When Killian saw me, his expression turned flat. "You're late."
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
Mandie smiled sweetly. "It's okay, Amber. I know you're going through a lot." She touched Killian's arm. "Should we start?"
Throughout the entire appointment, I felt like a ghost. Mandie picked out dresses for me to try. Killian barely looked up from his phone. When I stepped out in the first gown, Mandie tilted her head.
"It's... nice," she said. "But maybe something less plain? This is Killian's wedding too."
Killian nodded without looking. "Try another."
By the third dress, Mandie was openly criticizing. "The neckline is unflattering. Your posture is terrible. Are you even trying to look like a bride?"
I said nothing. Just changed into the next dress like a doll being dressed and undressed.
"Amber," Killian finally said, his voice sharp. "Are you going to participate? Or just stand there like a mannequin?"
I met his eyes in the mirror. "What do you want me to say?"
"I want you to stop sulking," he snapped. "Mandie is trying to help. The least you could do is be grateful."
"I am grateful," I lied.
"Then show it," he said coldly. "Because right now, you look jealous and petty."
The words hit like a slap. Mandie placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Killian, it's okay. She's just overwhelmed."
He softened immediately when he looked at her. "You're right. I'm sorry you have to deal with this."
I felt something crack inside me.
At the jewelry store, it was worse. Mandie picked out rings, modeled them, gave her opinions. Killian listened to every word. When I tried to speak, he cut me off.
"Mandie has excellent taste. Just let her handle it."
So I stood there, silent, while another woman chose my engagement ring.
The bridal shower was held at Grandma's estate. I arrived hoping for a moment of peace, but Mandie was already there, charming everyone, especially Grandma.
"Amber saved my life once," Grandma told the guests, smiling at me. "She's a remarkable young woman."
For a moment, I felt seen. Valued.
Then Mandie stood, raising her glass. "To Amber and Killian. May they find the happiness they deserve."
Everyone toasted. Grandma took a sip of her champagne—and suddenly swayed. Her glass slipped from her fingers and shattered.
"Grandma!" I lunged forward, catching her as she collapsed.
Chaos erupted. Someone called an ambulance. Killian appeared, his face white with panic.
"What happened?" he demanded.
"I don't know—she just collapsed—"
Then Mandie stepped forward, her voice trembling. "I saw Amber near Grandma's drink earlier. She was... doing something to it."
The room went silent. All eyes turned to me.
"What?" I breathed. "No—I would never—"
"I didn't want to say anything," Mandie continued, tears in her eyes. "But I can't stay silent if Grandma's in danger."
"You're lying!" I screamed.
Killian grabbed my arm, his grip bruising. "Did you poison my grandmother?"
"No! Killian, please—"
"ANSWER ME!" he roared.
"I didn't do anything!" Tears streamed down my face. "I love Grandma—I would never hurt her—"
But he wasn't listening. His eyes were wild with rage. "Get out," he said, his voice deadly quiet. "Get out of my sight before I do something I regret."
"Killian—"
He leaned close, his breath hot against my ear. "You are nothing without me. Nothing without my family. Without us, you're just a poor girl with a sick mother and no future." His words were poison. "So remember that the next time you think about crossing me. Because I can take everything from you. Everything."
