Chapter 68:
Makenna’s POV:
I was taken aback by Alice’s sudden apology. “Alice?”
“Please, let me say what I need to,” Alice interrupted. She paused, took a deep breath, and continued, “I used to think you were just putting on an act of detachment after winning the prince’s favor. That’s why I opposed your attempt to expose what I thought was your facade.”
She lifted her head sharply and fixed a serious gaze on me. “Now I see how absurd my assumptions and judgments were about you. You’re genuinely good, compassionate, and resilient. I was too narrow-minded.”
Now, I understood the reason behind her unexpected apology.
With a smile, I met her gaze and responded, “It’s alright. Let’s put the past behind us. Don’t dwell on it, Alice.”
Alice, however, shook her head. Her expression was filled with remorse. “Makenna, if it weren’t for your help, despite our past issues, I would’ve suffered great humiliation. I truly owe you an apology.”
I exhaled deeply. I never imagined that my past kindness would lead me to gain a true friend.
Holding Alice’s hands firmly, I declared, “No matter our past conflicts, we are friends now. Let’s leave the old troubles behind.”
Alice’s face lit up with a smile. She nodded vigorously and gripped my hands even tighter. “Yes, we’re friends now.”
Hand in hand, we walked to the cafeteria. With our misunderstandings cleared up, we enjoyed our meal.
Alice became my only friend in this awful place, and her friendship, especially after Jessica came out of nowhere to provoke me, comforted me.
Humming, I walked back to my small villa after dinner. Just as I stepped inside, I was abruptly held by someone. “Who are you?” I screamed.
Something moist and warm brushed against my ear. Then the familiar voice, tinged with a hint of reproach, filled my ear.
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“Why are you home so late?”
Instantly recognizing him, I exclaimed, “Bryan Reeves?”
Bryan’s hands moved over me playfully. “Calling me by my full name? You’re getting quite daring,” he teased.
He then began to lift the hemline of my blouse and slipped his hand underneath. I quickly grabbed his hand to stop him, feeling uneasy.
“Why are you here?” I demanded.
This horrible man always had a way of appearing out of nowhere, like a shadow in the night, ready to engulf me completely.
Bryan pressed his lips to my neck. His words were muffled yet audible. “Clayton could be here; why can’t I?”
His words sent a chill through me, and my heart dropped. Alarmed, I questioned, “How do you know about that?”
Bryan brushed aside my hand and aggressively slipped his hand under my blouse. His cold fingers grazed my skin, trailing upward until they cupped my breast. Then he twisted my nipple, suddenly pulling it fiercely.
I screamed, trying to push his hand away, but he stopped me with his other hand.
“Don’t move.” His breath was hot against my neck, and his hoarse voice sent shivers through me. “I’ve been watching you all the time.”
His words struck fear into me. What? What did he mean by that?
My eyes widened in panic as I struggled to free myself, but he pinched my nipple again, causing my body to weaken.
Bryan let out a low chuckle. “Good thing you didn’t have sex with Clayton yesterday. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be standing here safe and sound.”
Shaking with revulsion, I demanded, “What have you done? How do you know what happened in my house?”
