Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Copper

I waited for her to do something, to scream, shout or try to insult me more, but she only smiled an eerie smile.

"Yes, Mrs. Greenland. I understand perfectly."

My face formed a frown. I know girls like Darling. They don't give up the fight so easily. Then again, maybe I didn't know her at all.

Darling let out a scream so loud she pierced my eardrums. I covered my ears. "What the hell is your problem?!"

"I have many problems, but you take the cake."

Before I could blink, she dropped to the ground fake crying and holding her knee. That's not the only thing she does. Darling beats the area below her knee several times.

"What the hell?!" I yelled, pulling her hand away. "Are you out of your goddamn mind?"

My eyes widen in horror as she laughs. She rips her hand from my hold. "No, but I can be. Stand back and watch the fireworks, bitch."

Footsteps hurry over to where we were. Darling returns to her previous state, still holding her knee. Caroline was the first one to arrive.

"Oh my god." She stoops down and rubs Darling's back. "What happened?" She asks me.

I could only shake my head.

Darling waits until the rest of the family arrives before she starts talking.

"I-I'm okay, I promise." I pay attention to how meek she presents herself. "Copper and I were messing around and she pushed me, but I'm sure it was an accident. Please don't be hard on her."

Georgina gives me a look of disappointment. "Copper, Darling isn't used to the outside world like you are. You have to be more careful."

For some reason her words stab me. I know the implication behind those words, that I'm acting like a girl who doesn't know how to act around prominent people. Even if she doesn't mean it that way, that's how it comes across to me.

I also figured out what Darling's plan is as she receives sympathy and care for her leg. She's trying to make it clear that the family will always be on her side. She can ruin me if she chooses, but she decides not to. This is the demonstration of her most powerful asset, her ability to manipulate and control the narrative.

If I point out the lies and tell them that she dropped to the ground and beat her leg on her own accord, I'll look like an idiot. Even worse, someone who's trying to avoid responsibility. The only way to rectify this and save my image is to play along with Darling's whim. And she knows it.

So I play along because what the hell!

"I'm so sorry, Darling." I held out my hand and helped her up. "Does it hurt? Oh my, we need to put some ice on that."

Darling appeared touched. "It doesn't hurt that much. Thank you for worrying about me although we barely know each other."

"How can I not worry? It's my fault after all. I was too rough with you."

"Don't put yourself down like that! We were only playing around."

Both of us giggle like school girls. Everyone else seemed to sigh in relief.

"Can you walk on your own?" Caroline asked.

"Yes, thank you. I'm sorry for ruining the mood. Let's all go back downstairs."

Darling allowed them to walk in front of her and pretended to follow, but she turned to me instead.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me, resting her chin on my shoulder.

"Let me remind you," she whispers. "I'm the main character and you'll always be the villain in my story. Keep that in mind before you do something you'll regret in the future, okay?"

Then she happily skips off and turns the corner, leaving me to sizzle in the predicament she could have put me in.

_________

Kenny

She got back at the same time I did. After I dropped my bag on the couch in the lobby, the door opened.

She is standing there, but something doesn't feel right. Her hair was a mess, and her eyes were lifeless. I squinted my eyes. "You're back. Are you okay?"

She seemed as if she wanted to say something, then stopped. Copper closed the door behind her.

"More or less," she said in a low voice. I stayed where I was and focused on her face.

"Did something happen at the manor?" I asked.

Once again, it seemed like she wanted to say something but didn't.

"If you came to dinner in the first place, then you wouldn't have had to ask," she said firmly, looking away.

I raised my eyebrow. "I'm sorry? It took longer than I thought."

"Your mother said she missed you." Copper walked further into the room.

"I'll give her a call later. Did she say something to you?"

"Nothing important."

"Then why are you acting like that?"

"Acting like what?"

"You're moping!" I gestured to her with my hands. Her mouth fell open as if she was flabbergasted.

"Well, I'm sorry that I can't be chipper all the time!" Copper shouted. She dropped her phone on the nearest piece of furniture, which happened to be a display table. "Can't I just have a day when I'm not happy?"

"I'm not saying that! Damn it, Copper!" I wiped my palm over my face. "There is a problem and I need to know what it is, especially if it's because something happened at the manor."

I closed my eyes, then opened them again. When I did, Copper had her back to me. Her entire body was tense. She was holding onto the table.

I took that as a sign that I was right and something did happen. Was it Mom? I doubt it since it was her idea for me to get married in the first place, so why would she cause trouble for my wife?

I sighed. "If my mother did something, don't take it to heart. That's just how she is sometimes. If you want, I can talk to her." I took a step closer.

"No, it's..." Copper stopped. I waited for her to continue but I didn't come closer. It might be better for her to have some space.