My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 237

Emily Blair knew perfectly well that even if the security footage really did show Isabella Austin pulling her into the water, nothing would actually happen to Isabella.

In her previous life, Isabella had done more than her fair share of awful things. Not every misdeed was hidden perfectly—sooner or later, something would surface. Andrew Lane, along with a few others, could clearly see what Isabella had done, but they always kept quiet, sometimes even making excuses for her.

Like that time when she’d been drugged and nearly assaulted by a homeless man.

Alex White had said, “Well, if you hadn’t bullied Isabella in the first place, she wouldn’t have done this. Honestly, you brought it on yourself. At worst, Isabella was just protecting herself.”

Andrew’s parents had chimed in, “Even a sweet girl like Isabella was pushed this far by you. That really says something about your behavior. Don’t expect an apology from Isabella—in fact, you should be the one apologizing to her.”

And Andrew himself would say, “Just stay away from Isabella. Don’t make her worry about you anymore.”

No matter how appalling Isabella’s actions were, in Andrew’s eyes, it was always about her having to worry.

Emily had realized long ago: if she didn’t grow stronger, having all the proof in the world of Isabella’s wrongdoings would mean nothing. Everyone around Isabella would protect her, no matter what.

She squeezed her eyes shut, her thoughts swirling and crashing, unable to find any calm.

When she opened them again, she saw a hand waving a freshly peeled apple in front of her. Her gaze followed the arm up to the face of a middle-aged woman, whose smile was bright and sincere. The woman pressed the apple into Emily’s hand. “Come on, eat up.”

Emily blinked, startled, and tried to refuse. “No, really, you should have it.”

But the woman nudged it back. “Don’t worry, it’s for you. Eat as much as you want.”

Seeing she wouldn’t take no for an answer, Emily sat up and accepted the apple, mumbling, “Thank you.”

The woman smiled and patted her shoulder. “It’s nothing, dear. Just hang in there. Don’t let it get you down. Smile a little—good luck finds those who smile.”

Emily managed the barest curve of her lips, forcing out a small, grateful smile. “Thank you.”

The semi-finals were scheduled for the next morning, so Emily quickly checked herself out of the hospital and took a cab back to the hotel.

As soon as she returned, she could sense how the other contestants were even more distant than before. Where once someone might have exchanged a word or two, now they deliberately detoured around her in the halls.

Eventually, they glanced up at Emily, who sat on her bed scrolling through her phone, then looked back at one another. In each other’s eyes, they saw their own confusion and surprise.

They’d all assumed Emily was the aggressor, that she’d tried to drag Isabella into the pool, but the footage told a different story. It clearly showed Isabella clinging to Emily’s hand, refusing to let go. Emily struggled several times to free herself, but Isabella’s grip was iron-tight.

And then, when the two of them went into the water, it was Isabella who pulled Emily down with her. Maybe Isabella slipped by accident, but the fact remained: Emily was the one dragged in. Whether Isabella had meant it or not, Emily was the victim.

Not only that, she’d been painted as the perpetrator in everyone’s eyes.

And, judging from Emily’s desperate attempts to break free, it was obvious Isabella hadn’t been saying anything pleasant—why else would Emily try so hard to get away?

The group exchanged increasingly uneasy glances, then hurried away down the hall.

It took less than an hour for Emily’s little display to have its effect. Word of the video’s contents spread until almost everyone on the floor knew the truth. More and more contestants passed by Emily’s room, stealing anxious glances inside to see her reaction.

Once Emily was satisfied that her point had been made, she took back her tablet and closed the door, shutting out their prying eyes for good.