Ashly's POV
My trembling hand flew to my mouth as I stared into Jackson's eyes which were brewing with fierce ferocity and intense hatred. 'I'm truly sorry Jackson, I really am. But all these... it happened so long ago. And Carlos recovered, didn't he?'
'If your definition of recovered is a one way ticket to a mental facility. After what happened to his sister, to his leg, and the news he got about his father serving in the army... ' My heart clenched when I realised he'd used the word 'about ' and not 'from '. '...he just couldn't take all this shit happening anymore. His dream of becoming an athlete was crushed. He broke down and tried to end his life... ultimately ending up with severe brain damage instead.' He chocked back a sob silently and I had to control myself from launching forward and assuring him that everything is going to be alright. 'From then on, I was never really the same either. I couldn't. Nobody got me like Carlos, yknow? And somehow his parents found out about my so called involvement in this so called incident. Which was why... ' he clenched his jaw in an effort to hold back his tears. 'I never got into any of the Ivy Leagues I applied for even though my grades were decent. And I had to become some fortune teller to earn my keep.' Jackson said bitterly.
'Jackson, ' I said as calmly as I could even though my nerves were a total wreck and my brain could hardly keep up with what he was saying. 'What I had to do with all these... I have no excuse at all. And I'm really apologetic. But I don't think this is the right way, by getting back at me.'
'Oh, it definitely is. ' Jackson's lips curled up into an empty smile. 'After I heard about what you did to my sister, I knew I would be doing the world- or at least, all brothers- a favour if you did get a taste of your own medicine. '
Before I could respond, Ella had come behind me and bound my wrists with rope, her grip on my arms unyielding and harsh as the ropes cut mercilessly into my skin.
'You ruined our love lives, Ashly. ' Jackson held up a bottle of transparent liquid gleaming menacingly under the pale moonlight. 'Now it's our turn to ruin yours.'
Cold fear gripped me and I watched helplessly, paralyzed as I waited for the first drop of acid to sear and burn away my flesh.
A/n: this was a short chapter but I couldn't wait to upload it! Will be going back to school in a few more days and sitting for my exams, so please do be patient for the subsequent updates ^^
