Chapter 6
“Don’t you dare mention that waste of space!
“If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t be in this awful mess!”
My father stood there, his face a mask of barely restrained fury.
“Yeah, Ruby’s nothing but trash.
“Sloane, you’re our favorite. Please, help us out.”
I could not help but feel nauseous at the Larsons’ fake concern.
In my previous life, they had hated me, convinced I had stolen Ruby’s chance at a happy marriage.
Then, in this life, they were eager to throw Ruby under the bus to get on my good side.
Two lifetimes were enough for me to see through their act.
They were the real trash, completely unfit to be parents.
“Sorry, but I’m not interested in tying myself to selfish people like you. Get out of my way.”
I brushed past them and strode into the Gilberts’ house without giving them another glance.
Inside, I was greeted by a mess of bloodied chicken feathers on the floor.
Ruby, wrapped up in a full-body cast, sat beside Sean.
Sean’s skin was bumpy and raw, like plucked chicken flesh, still oozing blood where his feathers had been. His limbs had
morphed into something resembling chicken wings and feet.
I could not help but chuckle as I addressed Ruby.
“Wow, Ruby. It looks like you’ve lost big time in this bet.”
Ruby’s eyes, previously calm, blazed with fury at the sound of my voice.
“I haven’t lost to you, so cut the gloating.
“Sean’s not even 30 yet. Maybe he’s triggered some curse on himself early. It has nothing to do with me.”
Ruby spat the words out, her anger barely contained.
“Sloane, you’re nothing but trouble. I bet it was you who messed Sean up like this, just to make me look bad.
“Mom, Dad, don’t fall for her tricks. She’s nothing but poison!”
Walter shook with fury, his cane cracking against Ruby’s lips.
“Can’t keep that trap of yours shut, can you?
“If you hadn’t been so sure you could break the curse on my boy, why would we have ever trusted you?
“You’re a nasty piece of work. Zip it.”
The noise in the room finally roused Sean from his coma.
Ignoring the pain racking his body and his twisted limbs, his eyes lit up when he saw me.
“Sloane, did you come to save me?”
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Ruby, who was right there, lunged toward him as he came to.
“Honey, you’re awake! I’d love you forever, even if you turned into a hen.”
However, Sean did not even glance at Ruby; his intense gaze was all for me.
“Sloane, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see my mistake until now.
“Ruby and I, we may have had a wedding, but we’re not legally married. Please, save me.
“Save me, and the Gilbert fortune is yours.”
Keith heard that and pulled me close, his kiss marking his claim.
“Sean, I’m right here, and you’re hitting on your aunt right in front of me?”
Walter’s eyes brimmed with regret, and he hobbled over to Keith, his shoulders slumped.
“Keith, please, I’m begging you. Divorce Sloane. Save Sean. Bring him back to the person he used to be.”
Walter’s offer was a real head-turner. “If Sloane could turn Sean back to his old self, she could have the entire Gilbert family fortune. And if she wanted to be the head of the Gilbert family, we could put that on the table too.”
The terms he offered were tempting.
However, if only there were a cure for regret.
Keith looked worried when I did not say anything. He wrapped his arms around me and stepped back.
“Are you kidding? Why would I ever give my girl up for anyone else?
“I’ve made a vow to love only Sloane for the rest of my days,” Keith declared.
