Chapter 39
At the time, Layla thought that giving it up would earn her parents‘ love.
But all it did was make them push their luck even further. Kena went abroad, gained recognition off her work, and even held her own photography exhibition.
During the darkest period of her life, Sean had been the warmth that kept her going. That was why she had been so utterly devoted to him.
Layla pulled herself out of her thoughts, feeling nothing but emptiness inside.
In the end, she had been too naive. What was the point of regretting it now?
She didn’t even have much time left. What was the use of talking about passion anymore?
At that thought, the light in her eyes dimmed. She turned and walked away.
Half an hour later, Carter’s shoot began, and Layla waited for him in the lounge.
She was curled up on the couch, flipping through a magazine out of boredom, when the door opened. She looked up and locked eyes with Xena, who had a mocking smile on her face.
Layla’s expression instantly darkened. “What now?”
‘Come on, sis, I am still your sister. Do you really have to treat me like an enemy?”
Xena sauntered over and crossed her legs on the single–seater couch. “You’ve really made a mess for yourself this time. How do you plan to clean it up?
“Faking an illness? Please, I’ve been there, done that. Your only innovation was making the lie a little too big.”
She propped her chin on her hand, looking smug. “What, you thought pretending to be dying would make Sean feel guilty? That he’d sympathize with you, marry you, and then, by the time he found out the truth, it wouldn’t matter because you’d already sealed the deal?
“And with Mr. Perry Sr. backing you, he’d cover for you no matter what. That’s why you’re being so reckless, right?”
She spoke with such certainty, as if everything had already played out exactly as she described.
Layla, on the other hand, remained silent, looking at her like she was a complete idiot,
Xena’s smile faltered. Annoyed, she dropped the act entirely. “Even if you aren’t faking it, so what? Once you’re dead, the entire Xander family and Sean will be mine!
“You’ll die a pathetic loser, and everything you ever wanted will never belong to you!”
In the past, words like these would have cut Layla deep.
Xena thought so too. But reality didn’t go as she expected.
Layla simply sneered, not even bothering to reply. She got up, ready to leave.
“I slept with Sean!“.
Xena blurted it out, her voice shrill with excitement. When she saw Layla pause for a split second, she got bolder.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 39
“In your wedding bed, no less! The mattress you picked out was really comfortable.‘
Finally, she had managed to disgust Layla.
Layla turned back to look at her and asked, completely calm, “Since when was shamelessness something to be proud of?
“Getting into a man’s bed is easy. Standing by his side? That’s the hard part.
“If you’re going to brag, at least figure out where you actually stand. Don’t act like the leading lady when you’re just the side piece. It’s pathetic.”
Her words were sharp, but her expression barely changed.
Xena, on the other hand, went pale, then flushed red. “You you’re just mad! You think saying that will scare me? If I can’t be the main woman, you sure as hell can’t either!
“After everything you’ve done, Sean will never forgive you
Layla was beyond done. She rolled her eyes and, enunciating every word, said flatly, “I just think you’re cheap. That’s all.”
