Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Violence First, Judgment Later

A 83

+8 Pearls

Clarence, who was closest, grabbed Claudia and yanked her back, shoving her away before she could swing again.

Her lower back slammed into the edge of a cabinet, right where she’d been hurt yesterday. Pain ripped through her, and she sucked in a breath–but her hiss got swallowed by the chorus of outraged voices. No one noticed.

All eyes were on Lydia’s face. Zane shot Claudia a murderous look, then bolted for the first–aid kit. Jasper and Lottie crowded in on either side of Lydia, fussing over the swelling.

Lydia herself was stunned. That wretch actually hit me?

Sure, Claudia had acted out before–but mostly with words. She’d never laid a hand on her. Their skirmishes always ended the same way: Lydia composed and triumphant, Claudia seething. She had never been humiliated like this. What had gotten into Claudia tonight?

Rage gnawed at her, but she put on a wounded, trembly voice. “Claudia, I know you don’t like me. But what exactly did I do wrong today?”

Wilson rounded on Claudia. “Why did you hit Lydia?”

Claudia let out a short, sharp laugh. “Then why did you hit me?”

She tilted her chin. “Violence first, verdict later. Didn’t I learn that from you?”

Wilson flinched, thinking of the slap he’d just given her, but anger clawed right back over his face. “I hit you because you hired someone to run Lydia off the road. And you still want to deny it? Is this what I taught you–hurt your own family, break the law, and feel no shame?”

“Hired someone?” Claudia’s mind jumped to last night’s ‘accident,’ and her mouth curved. “So… where’s the proof?”

Wilson jabbed a finger at her. “Proof? You still dare ask for proof? The driver already confessed -you bribed him. If Lydia weren’t so kind and forgiving, you’d be in jail already. Do you understand?”

“So besides the driver’s ‘confession, you’ve got nothing.”

Lydia cut in at the perfect moment, voice trembling just enough. “Claudia, I never knew you hated me this much. If you really can’t stand me, I’ll leave the Lancaster family. I’ll leave Liberty City. I’ll disappear from your life, okay? Just don’t keep making mistakes because of me, and don’t fight with Mom and Dad over me. The Lancasters will always be your home. Yours

alone.”

1/3

9:33 Tue, Oct 7 M

Chapter 4 Violence First, Judgment Later

“Heh. If you really wanted to disappear, you would’ve done it ages ago.”

83

+8 Pearls

“Watch your mouth!” Wilson roared. “The only reason Lydia is even in this family is because of you. What right do you have to drive her out?”

Claudia’s lips flattened. The words rose and stuck in her throat, cruel but unspeakable.

Because she had no comeback.

Lydia’s mother had died for her. That truth had sat on her chest like a boulder for over a decade -costing her her parents, her brothers, her home, her future. She was guilty. She was the one who had to bow her head and pay.

Zane came hustling back with the medicine, shooting Claudia’s pale face a look of pure contempt. “If anyone needs to go, it’s you. Having a vicious sister is shameful. Before, you were just rotten. Now you’ve broken the law.”

Clarence’s tone went hard. “Claudia, apologize to Lydia.”

Claudia drew a steady breath. “I’m not admitting to something I didn’t do.”

Wilson, livid, raised his hand again. This time Claudia slipped out of reach.

She looked at Lottie and Jasper, both silent. “You two think I did it, too?”

Nothing. Not a word. Claudia’s smile turned brittle. “Got it.”

She pulled out her phone and dialed a number she knew by heart. Facing them, she said, “Even if I were guilty, the law decides that–not your baseless verdicts. I’m not taking the fall.”

The Lancasters stared, stunned. That wretched girl–she called the cops.

Wilson dropped onto the sofa, panting with fury.

Behind the ice pack, a flicker of panic crossed Lydia’s face.

“Family business shouldn’t be aired out,” Wilson snapped. “Lydia already forgave you–she didn’t want to push it. But since you insist–fine. Then you can live with the consequences.”

Clarence hesitated, then said coldly, “If you’re convicted, the Lancasters won’t bail you out. Think it through.”

Even now, none of them thought they were wronging her. They assumed she was only this bold because she figured there was no hard evidence. The arrogance was infuriating.

Somewhere in each of them: If we can’t teach her, the police will.

9:34 Tue, Oct 7 M

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Chapter 4 Violence First, Judgment Later

+8 Pearls

Only Jasper stepped forward and caught Claudia’s wrist. “Apologize to Lydia. As long as she doesn’t press charges, you’ll be fine.”

Zane piled on. “Yeah. You slapped her twice for no reason. Hurry up and apologize.”

Claudia’s laugh came out low and cutting. “Those two slaps? One paid back Dad’s that I took on her behalf. The other was for the thugs she hired to go after me last night. Cause and effect, both of them. Why should I apologize?”

Lottie’s eyes filled with disappointment. “The driver’s confession is out, and now you’re accusing your cousin of hiring thugs. Claudia, you’re the one wronging her. She lost her mother because of you. No one expects you to worship her like a savior, but at least don’t repay kindness with cruelty. You’ve gone too far, for too long.”

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