The nurse pressed alcohol onto my wounds, the sting sharp enough to make me flinch. My hand, where Arabelle’s heel had stomped, was raw; a deep gash and ugly purple bruises marked the spot, a clear sign of her intent to destroy me.
Once my wounds were bandaged, I grabbed the bill and turned to leave. But as I rounded the corner, I ran straight into Arabelle.
Jaxon wasn’t around. Arabelle immediately dropped the act, crossing her arms and eyeing me with a mocking smile.
“How does it feel to be kicked out of the Aldridge family? Doesn’t feel so great, does it?”
Her words were hollow, like an echo that meant nothing to me. The truth was, the only two real consequences of leaving the Aldridge family were the lack of food and nowhere to sleep. She still thought I cared about Jaxon and still believed I was clinging to him.
I ignored her, trying to walk past, but she stepped forward, blocking my way. I frowned, meeting her gaze.
“Miss Kingsley, since I’m no longer part of the Aldridge family if you keep this up, things might get ugly.”
Arabelle sneered.