Indie's Pov
One. Two. Three. Nothing. And yet the same sly smile stayed plastered on Maggie's face. I burst out laughing, my knees wobbling as I gripped the wall for support.
I opened my mouth to speak, but the laughter took over again. She stood there, looking like she had everything figured out—and I couldn't even blame her. Afterall, it was Dad's fault.
I finally got hold of myself and exhaled. "Take your place in an arranged marriage?" I barked. "Go ahead—tell Dad I stole the jewelry. I don't care. Let him throw me in jail for a few months." I scoffed, masking the anger rolling inside me.
"Then who would take care of Kevin's medical bills?"
"Shut up," I snapped. "You and your mother have toyed with me my whole life! Do you really believe I would throw away my happiness for a few jewelry pieces that are rightfully mine? You must be insane."
She looked stunned. I rolled my eyes and turned away, but she grabbed my arms again, her nails digging into my skin and snapping the last thread of my patience. I spun and shoved her, sending her stumbling back into the wall with a dramatic thud.
"Argh," she shrieked, pain lacing her voice. I froze in surprise—I hadn't pushed her that hard.
"What the hell?" Dylan brushed past me, his face darkening as he caught Maggie before she hit the floor. She clutched her stomach, wincing as if I'd struck her there. When had he even gotten here?
"Are you okay?" he asked her.
My eyes widened. "Dylan. Come off it. She's obviously being dramatic," I scoffed, though a wave of unease was creeping into my chest.
He pulled Maggie close, turning to face me. "Are you crazy, Indie?"
I swallowed hard as his eyes blazed with anger—he'd never looked at me like this before. "Dylan.." My voice trembled despite my best effort.
"Stop being irresponsible and childish, Indie!" He barked. "Maggie came to apologize—and to try to build a relationship—but you attacked her."
I looked at Maggie—snuggling into his neck and whimpering as if in pain. My stomach twisted.
Pain exploded in my chest. "Dylan… you don't believe me?"
His eyes barely met mine. "Let me take you home, Maggie." He pressed a hand to her shoulder, brushing past me as if I did not exist, completely ignoring my question.
I caught Maggie's smug look as Dylan brushed past me, his face hard as steel, "Dylan," I called, grabbing his arms.
He paused, locking his gray eyes on mine, and I felt my chest tightened, dazed as always under his gaze. His hair had grown long, the black strands almost blending with the gray of his eyes. His cheeks were flushed—probably from the alcohol—but I couldn't tear my eyes away.
"Apologize… " he said, his words echoing in my head, low and warning-like.
I tried to speak, but my mouth opened and shut uselessly. "I should apologize!" I repeated, shock and disbelief trembling through me.
His eyes burned with annoyance, cutting into me. My throat constricted. I couldn't breathe.
He shrugged my hands off but didn't let go of Maggie, holding her to him as if she were the most delicate thing in the world.
Dylan… he was choosing her over me. My fingers curled into a fist by my side, and a tight knot formed in my stomach.
"If you can't grow up, at least stop bullying Maggie," he said, exhaustion clear in his voice.
I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came.
"Let's go, Maggie." He said, taking her hand and walking away, leaving me frozen outside the restroom, staring after them.
He left me here. Suddenly, I was a stranger in his eyes. He had promised a million times, it would always be him and me. I had convinced myself I could let him go someday, let him find someone else—but it still tore me apart from the inside.
I returned to our table, where of all eight chairs only Leo and Jennie remained, chatting quietly. I slid into the chair, smoothing my dress before lifting a glass and the moment I touched it, they hushed, eyes flicking pitifully towards me.
"How many shots will get me wasted?" I asked, my voice tighter than I intended. "Five? Eight?"I glanced at Jennie, uncapping the bottle with shaky fingers.
She stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "Are you okay?"
"Of course," I muttered, gripping my glass a little too tightly.
"You don't have to pretend with us, Indie." Leo said gently. "We know how you feel about Dylan. He loves you… he just doesn't realize it yet."
I chuckled, blinking away tears. He doesn't—so he's experimenting with my stepsister instead. I poured a shot and downed it, then another, my eyes burning and stinging, but I welcomed it.
Leo and Jennie keep exchanging glances, but I ignore them, sitting in silence for almost twenty minutes as the alcohol slowly crept in. I poured another shot.
"Take it easy," Jennie warned, reaching for the glass, but I downed it before she could stop me.
I shook my head, loving the feeling even as the ache lingered, and shut my eyes. Their image formed in my mind, Dylan guiding her out. That should have been me. How had I become the villain? Did he take her home—or to his apartment?
I feel stupid. Empty.
"Indie." Jennie jabbed my hand, eyes wide. "Turn to your left!"
Leo frowned. "Why are you looking at them that way?"
"Obviously for Indie."She answered, eyes sparkling. "She deserves a guy way hotter than Dylan."
I followed their gaze. Two men had just walked in, blurry and indistinct, I still made out their shapes.
"Indie. Admit it—he's way hotter than Dylan."Jennie whispered, nudging me with a grin.
Leo scoffed and kicked back his chair with a loud scrape. "Time to go."
I shifted my gaze to the men on the two bar stools. One was totally out of place in his black suit and tie, every muscle outline as if sculpted to fit the fabric. He did the clothes justice—broader and more muscular than Dylan, with darker features that made him impossible to ignore.
I blink away the haze. Everything about him—his outfit, his expression—contrasted sharply with his friend. "He's hot." I admitted, nodding.
"See, babe? Even Indie agrees—but you are way hotter than those guys." Jennie teased. I ignored their banter, eyes glued to my drink.
Joe grabs her roughly. "Let's go." he barked. "Indie, get up—I'll drop you off."
I groaned, hating the close noise and the headache cutting in. "Go ahead. I'll find my way home."
Jennie hissed, "Woman, you are drunk! How the hell are you going to get home?"
"Don't worry!" I tried, fighting the slur. "Leo, go ahead, I'll order a ride."
He hesitated, eyes flickering between me and Jennie, but when I stayed rooted in place, he nodded and dragged her out.
I debated sitting in silence or returning back to my apartment. Dylan wouldn't be there tonight—he was likely booking a van to move his things, and the thought twisted in my chest.
"Hey."A waitress appeared, setting a bottle of wine on my table. "From the gentleman over there." She pointed at the two men from earlier, and I felt a flicker of curiosity.
The darker one waved, I blinked trying to focus through the haze, his lips curled slightly as he muttered, "Hello."