Chapter 5

Clara was sent back to her real home, a remote town.

The Albright family paid her parents a substantial sum, on the condition that they never return to the city, and never speak of their connection to the Albright name.

It was a 'dignified' expulsion, and a gag order.

When I was permitted to visit her in the hospital to say goodbye, she lay in bed, her leg encased in a thick cast, like a flower utterly ravaged by a storm.

She handed me the silver whistle, her palm cold.

"It was all a lie..."

She rasped, her eyes holding a dead, ashen calm.

"Victoria hid needles under my saddle. The stablehand who prepped my horse worked for her. She deliberately spooked the horse, then faked her own fall in front of Brandon, all to humiliate me and make him completely despise me."

"Brandon knew everything. He even... silently approved."

"He thought I was an eyesore, so he played along with Victoria, putting on this show to toss me aside like garbage."

Clara grabbed my hand, her frail fingers trembling with the force.

"Scarlett, you're so smart, you have to be careful."

"Don't trust Brandon. Don't trust anyone here. Survive, and then... destroy them."

I clutched the whistle in my hand, the cold metal digging into my palm, a sharp sting.

"Okay," I nodded.