Broken kingdom

Chapter 35 Bianca

Holy shit. 

Emotions tangle in my chest as I place the note down and try to process everything. 

I told Oakley about my mom. 

I knew we had a bond and we were close, but didn’t know I trusted him so much that I’d tell him the one thing I’ve never told anyone. 

Tears prickle my eyes as I get off the floor. 

Oakley was right. We were way more than fuck buddies who didn’t fuck. 

What we had between us was…real. 

I’m so lost in my thoughts I don’t even hear the latch on my door click open. 

“Are you ready?” Stone questions, striding inside my dorm room. 

I seriously regret making him a spare key now because just the sight of him fills me with anger. 

I can’t help but feel like he took something precious from me by lying about that poem. 

I glare at him. “No, I’m not.”

To say he’s taken aback would be an understatement. “Wh—”

“You didn’t write that poem.” 

“What poem?”

He looks so confused and it only makes me more irate. 

It’s all I can do not to tear my hair out as I stalk toward him. “The one that said I was a beautiful nightmare.” 

He thinks about this for a moment before making a face like he tastes something rancid. “That thing?” His eyes roll. “Okay, fine, I didn’t write it. I don’t know why it’s such a big dea—”

“Because you lied about it,” I scream so loud the windows vibrate. “I loved that poem. It made me feel special and important and I thought you wrote it from your heart, but you didn’t.” 

Oakley did. 

Hands on his hips, he blows out a breath. “You’re right, I lied.” 

I’m about to start screaming again, but he closes the distance between us and locks his arms around me. “But I only did it because I wanted to impress you.” He looks sheepish. “And because I got scared that maybe some other guy was trying to woo you by writing poems. I didn’t want him to steal you away from me.” 

His remorseful expression makes it clear he regrets it, but still. 

“You shouldn’t have lied.” 

“I know. I’m sorry, Bourne.” He glances at his watch. “Not to be a jerk, but can we shelf this for a bit? We’re supposed to be at Ruth’s parents’ house by nine.” 

I should tell him to go fuck himself and go there alone. 

But that’s the thing about guilt…

Sometimes it makes you do things you shouldn’t. 

Like avoid conversations you need to have. 

The party’s in full swing by the time we arrive at Ruth’s house. 

Stone whistles as we look around the giant atrium filled with fancy people wearing even fancier clothes. “I knew her parents were loaded, but not this loaded.” 

He’s right. This isn’t a typical college party by any means. 

Sure, there are some college students buzzing around, but instead of beer pong, flip cup, and rap music…there are waiters passing around champagne and caviar on silver trays. 

I’m starting to feel underdressed in my short silky black dress and red heels. 

I can tell Stone’s uncomfortable too, because he always is when it comes to wealthy people. 

“Breathe, Stone,” I whisper. “They’re just people.” 

“Easy for you to say,” he hisses as he adjusts his tie. “You grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth.” 

I have to stifle the urge to tell him that he grew up with a stick lodged in his asshole, but you don’t see me constantly ridiculing him about it. 

“You’re here,” someone shouts behind us. 

A moment later a very bubbly Ruth runs over to us.

Her fiancé Eugene follows behind her like a lost puppy. 

After exchanging quick hugs, she focuses on Stone. “I was just telling my dad all about you.” She smiles. “He’s dying to meet you. Stay here while I go get him.” 

Before anyone can say a word, she runs off. 

Stone looks like he’s going to puke. “Her dad is the head of the neurology department at Stonybrook Hospital.” His voice shakes a little. “He has a lot of co

Yeah…I’m going to pretend like he didn’t just say that. 

Stuffing down my irritation, I grab a champagne glass from one of the passing waiters. 

I’m not a drinker, but holy hell I could use one right about now. 

Ruth comes back with a tall, older gentleman in tow who I can only assume must be her dad. 

Appearing green now, Stone straightens his spine and holds out his hand. “Hello, Dr. Kelp, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” 

The older man smiles as he shakes it. “I can say the same.” He places his arm around Ruth’s shoulders. “My Ruthie here has told me nothing but great things about you.” He winks and does that stupid mock gun thing. “Great job killing it on your last exam. Ruthie said you received the highest score in class.” 

Yes, he did. Because it’s all he could talk about last week. 

I down my glass of champagne and grab another. 

Stone tries to act modest, but he doesn’t do a very good job. “Well, what can I say? Your daughter makes a terrific study partner.” 

Does she now? 

Ruth beams like he handed her all the stars in the sky. “Only because you’re so smart.” 

My eyes drift to poor Eugene who looks like a fish out of water. 

Mr. Kelp slaps him on the back. “Eugene, why don’t you do us a favor and fetch us some of those spring rolls.” 

My mouth practically drops open because rude. 

“Actually,” I interject. “I’ll do it.” I give Mr. Kelp a sugary sweet smile. “I’m Bianca by the way.” 

I shoot Stone a menacing glare as I trek off. 

After tracking down a tray of spring rolls, and another glass of champagne for myself, I head back over. 

“It’s been two years since the accident,” I overhear Ruth say as I approach their little circle. 

I halt in my tracks, hoping like hell I’m hallucinating their conversation. 

“Such a shame,” Mr. Kelp hums. “In my experience, if memories don’t return to the patient before then, they never will. Poor girl sounds like a lost cause.”

White-hot rage surges through me and I clear my throat. Loudly. 

“Here’s the thing,” I start. “I don’t appreciate being talked about behind my back.” And because I’m enraged, I don’t stop there. “I know they don’t teach this in medical school, but patients are human beings. They don’t deserve to be talked about like goddamn lab rats or reduced to a lost cause.” I shove my tray of eggrolls into Mr. Kelp’s hands. “Here.” Mocking him, I add, “In my experience, if you eat them too fast, you’ll choke on them.”

With that, I stalk off. 

Unfortunately, Stone’s right on my heels. 

“What the hell are you doing?” Grabbing me by my elbow, he steers me into an empty room. “Do you have any idea how much you’ve just embarrassed me?” 

Wow. The fact that he cares about what Mr. Kelp thinks more than me is just…

Straight-up nauseating. 

I down my glass of champagne and set the empty glass on a nearby table. “You know what? Fuck this shit.” I pat his shoulder. “Enjoy the rest of your evening with Mr. Kelp and your—” I make air quotes. “’Terrific study buddy.’” Waving both my middle fingers in the air, I saunter toward the door. “I’m leaving.” 

He seizes my arm. “What the hell is going on with you, Bianca? You’re not acting like yourself right now. It’s like I don’t even know you.”