He Broke Me For The Girl Who Bullied Me Chapter 05
I watched the likes on my comment climb. Watched strangers question whether I had a “mental illness.” Watched them question Celeste’s version of the bullying.
And I watched other strangers — people who’d read my evidence — fire back on my behalf.
The thread was gaining traction fast.
Then my comment disappeared.
Celeste had deleted it.
Ethan stepped out to take a call. Came back with a knot between his brows.
“Audrey. You’re being impulsive.”
“Celeste’s an influencer. She exaggerates. It’s her job. I’d never let her actually hurt you.”
“We all move in the same circles. You’re going to keep running into these people. Don’t blow this up any further than it needs to be.”
He paused.
“Go apologize to her. It’ll clear the air. Then all this old resentment can finally be put to bed.”
The corner of my mouth twitched. I looked at him — really looked — and felt nothing at all.
Then, obedient, I let him lead me into a private dining room at a River North restaurant.
He pressed a glass of orange juice into my hand.
Across from me: Celeste. Full glam. Chin lifted like a queen at court.
She tilted her head.
“An apology, then. Just like in high school — on your knees on the floor —”
The room was full. Half a dozen of their friends, all smirking, waiting for the show.
Exactly like before.
I walked toward her, one step at a time. And I said, one word at a time.
“I’m sorry, Celeste. I’m sorry to you, of all people —”
Then I raised the glass and threw the orange juice in her face.
She shrieked. Mascara ran in black rivers down her cheeks.
I grabbed the wine bottle off the table and dumped that over her too. Deep red, running down her white blouse.
And with every splash, I said it.
“I’m sorry for being prettier than you! I’m sorry for having better grades than you!”
“I’m sorry the quarterback wanted me and not you! I’m sorry you were a bully and you never got what you deserved —”
Someone tried to pull me back. I shoved them off. Grabbed a fistful of Celeste’s hair, dragged her up, and slapped her.
Then slapped her again.
“Fuck your apology, you piece of shit!”
My eyes burned with tears. My hair was in my face. I was hitting her — actually hitting her — with everything I had.
Why should I apologize? What had I ever done wrong?
Just when my life had finally started to feel like mine again — why did she get to crawl out of the past and drag me back under?
Why?
“Enough! Audrey, stop!”
Ethan pulled me back against his chest. Rubbed his hand up and down my spine.
The same way he had, on all those long nights, when I’d woken up screaming. His voice low against my ear.
“It’s over. It’s okay. It’s over now…”
“You don’t have to apologize. Let’s go home.”
I twisted out of his arms.
Crack.
My palm caught the side of his face.
“Don’t play the hero now.”
“Birds of a feather flock together, Ethan. You’re every bit as disgusting as she is.”
He looked up at me. Didn’t move.
“Don’t get worked up,” he said quietly.
I laughed. And slapped him again.
“I hate you. All of you.”
“You people who tore my life apart for fun.”
I wasn’t shouting. But I knew he heard every word.
His expression hardened. He opened his mouth to say something — and then someone slammed into me from behind.
The small of my back hit the corner of the table. Pain shot up my spine.
Celeste was on her feet again, her face contorted into something inhuman.
“You? You think you can hit me?!”
“I’ll tell you what — my only regret is that I didn’t hit you harder back in high school…”
“You think you’re worth being jealous over? You’re nothing.”
I doubled over. Something was twisting inside me — like a fist closing around my insides.
A ringing rose in my ears.
Voices were shouting, trying to break it up. It all collapsed into Celeste’s screech.
“Ethan! Don’t you dare protect her from me!”
“How long have you even known that bitch?! You promised me you’d always have my back!”
“You are in love with her, aren’t you?! SAY IT!”
The voices blurred into a strange, shimmering dream.
In the dream, Ethan was just an ordinary handsome guy. Not rich. Not cruel. Just a man.
We were getting married in front of our friends and family. When our eyes met at the altar, we were both blushing.
We put a down payment on a small place of our own.
I filled the balcony with the houseplants I loved. Sheer white curtains caught the sunlight in soft, moving patterns.
He mopped the floors. Cooked dinner. Did the laundry.
I sat on the couch feeling the baby kick, ordering him around — a glass of water, my feet rubbed, whatever I wanted.
That was the happiness I wanted.
That was the home I wanted.
“Blood! There’s blood — why is she bleeding so much?!”
The scream shattered the dream.
I looked down. My vision was swimming. I couldn’t quite focus.
There was warmth running down my thighs.
Oh. Blood.
Ethan scooped me up. His hands were shaking so badly I could feel it through my ribs.
The car tore through the streets. He was flooring it, leaning on the horn.
“Audrey — Drey, stay awake. Stay with me. Please.”
“Baby, please. I was wrong. I was wrong. When you’re better you can do whatever you want to me, okay —”
I cracked my eyes open. Saw something glimmer at the corner of his eye.
“Ethan…”
“What is it — tell me, I’m listening —”
“Why did you even come near me?”
His shoulder shook.
“Now that you see me like this — did you finally get your revenge on me for Celeste?”
I didn’t get to hear his answer.
The world went dark.