Chapter 32
Cynthia’s brows drew together. “Spit it out,” she said, skeptical about Mason’s change. Just the day before, he’d practically exploded, chewing her out. Now he was all sweet and sorry. Was it because he knew she married into the well–off Sullivan family and didn’t want to stir trouble?
There was a brief silence before Mason continued, “Cynthia, we’re at the police station. It’s your sister, Roseanne she’s saying she’s sorry, too. Can you swing by? You’re sisters, and that counts for something, right?”
Cynthia got it. They needed her because they were in a jam. All of Mason’s groveling suddenly made sense—it was all for Roseanne’s benefit, and Cynthia was just collateral. If her mom could see this, she wondered if she’d have any answers about whether she was really part of this family.
Mason was getting antsy, waiting for an answer. “Cynthia, you hear me?”
Cynthia was pulled out of her thoughts. “I’ll come by soon.”
r with. If she didn’t give Roseanne a break, it wouldn’t drag out anyway. Plus, it might be
Might as well get this over v worth it to see her normally snooty sister have to eat humble pie.
After the call, Cynthia glanced at her design drafts once more, then casually walked out the door. As always, Darian took the wheel to drive her.
Cynthia’s sleek black Mercedes pulled up smoothly in front of the police station. She stepped out, dressed down in her casual sneakers.
Mason and Felicia were already at the entrance, putting on a show of friendliness as she walked up and calling out, “Cynthia.”
Cynthia kept her head high and moved past them coldly.
Mason’s phony cheerfulness faltered, revealing a glimpse of his true frustration. He fought back the urge to lash out, and with a tight–lipped smile, he followed her inside the station.
The Larson family weren’t exactly known for keeping a low profile, even in the police station. Darian, sensing the charged atmosphere and protective as ever, stayed close to Cynthia.
They made their way deeper into the station.
Roseanne was sitting there waiting, handcuffs hanging off her wrists. Her hair was a wild mess, and she looked tired with chapped lips and pale skin. She was a far cry from the put–together lady of luxury she used to be.
Felicia’s heart seemed to break. “Rosie, this must’ve been horrible for you,” she said as she hurried over.
Felicia and Mason hadn’t been allowed to visit Roseanne while she was locked up. Felicia felt a flash of anger at
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Chapter 32
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the sight of her daughter looking so weak and worn. But she remembered they had a plan to get through this, so she just bit back her anger.
Finding a place to sit, Cynthia watched the touching reunion.
As Roseanne finished talking to Felicia, her eyes accidentally landed on Cynthia. Remembering all that had gone wrong for her recently, and blaming Cynthia for it, Roseanne felt a wave of anger well up. Stuck in jail and out of touch with the world, she thought her folks were on her side and that today she’d get her payback,
“It’s all her fault,” Roseanne spat out, pointing at Cynthia, her eyes burning with rage. “She set me up. You have to
handle her, Mom.”
“Rosie, that’s your sister,” Mason cut in, worried Roseanne might say the wrong thing and tick Cynthia off even more. “We know the real story of what went down. Apologize, now.”
Hearing Mason’s words, Roseanne’s face was a picture of shock. In just a few days, instead of looking out for Roseanne who’d been through so much, he was on Cynthia’s side, telling Roseanne to apologize right away.
“I won’t apologize,” Roseanne stubbornly refused. Then she spotted Darian and it all clicked for her he was the man who had helped Cynthia escape that day, the man the police chief had treated with so much respect.
She saw an opportunity and pointed at Darian, spilling her thoughts. “It’s him, Dad! Cynthia’s sugar daddy! She’s at mere country girl, without a dime. How could she manage in the city?”
She raised her head, full of spite, thinking she had Cynthia cornered.
Cynthia met her furious look with a cool smile. “Looks like some people never learn. This was a waste of my time.” She got up to leave.
But Mason stopped her with a roar at Roseanne, “Say you’re sorry, now!”
Roseanne was stunned. Her own dad didn’t believe her.
“Rosie, there’s so much you don’t know. Just apologize, we’ll talk later,” Felicia whispered, seeing the rage in her husband. She knew if Roseanne kept this up, she would be in for trouble.
The past few days had turned Roseanne’s world upside down. Her dad had changed, and now her mom was taking Cynthia’s side too.
And as she looked up at her dad, who seemed to want to slap her, tears filled her eyes. “What’s gotten into your all?” she asked Felicia, upset.
Then she aimed her anger at Darian. “What’s he done to make you turn against me? I’m your daughter! I won’t apologize to Cynthia.”
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Chapter 32
Hearing that, Cynthia spun around, icy–eyed. “Unfortunately, looks like you’re only getting out of here if you apologize.”
Roseanne was beyond furious. “What’s to be proud of when you’re just clinging to a man? I bet it’s disgusting. being with some old man like him.”
She didn’t sound like a high–class lady anymore–she was acting totally bitter.
Then, out of nowhere, there was a loud slap.
Roseanne was left speechless, looking at Mason in complete shock.
“Apologize to Cynthia, now,” Mason ordered, his arms folded behind him.
Felicia wrapped her arms around Roseanne, worry in her eyes. She whispered urgently, “Rosie, the guy backing Cynthia is bad news. Just say you’re sorry, and we’ll deal with this later. We’ll get even for how they’ve shamed you today.”
The shock from the slap might have made Roseanne see how serious things were. Through gritted teeth, she
muttered, “Sorry.”
Cynthia, playing it coy, cupped her ear. “Are you saying something? Usually, you’re a lot louder when you’re plotting,” she teased.
Roseanne clenched her eyes shut, fists balled up. “I’m sorry,” she said.
Cynthia leaned in, acting like she didn’t quite catch it. “What?”
“Don’t go too far, Cynthia,” Roseanne snapped, looking up, her eyes wet with anger.
“What’s with that? I thought you wanted to apologize, according to Dad. If you don’t mean it, that’s on you. I’m just gonna head out,” Cynthia said, turning to leave.
Roseanne felt a wave of panic. She couldn’t handle staying locked up another day.
“I’m sorry!” she shouted, letting the tears flow freely now.
“Got it, no need to scream,” Cynthia s