The Marriage That Never Existed novel Chapter 29

Chapter3

The next morning, Ms. Doyle yanked me out of bed for school.

My stomach hurt. I went to the bathroom by myself, and what came out looked strange, dark,

almost black, with streaks of red.

“Miss Ruby, hurry up,” Ms. Doyle urged. “Your brothers won’t wait for you.”

I lowered the toilet lid, climbed up to flush, and then followed my brothers to school.

At Riverton Preschool, halfway through playtime, the pain hit me again. I clutched my belly and

tried to run to the restroom.

But Blake blocked my way, flanked by the others.

When I cried, their laughter only grew louder.

The cramps grew unbearable, and I couldn’t hold it anymore.

The air filled with a foul, sour smell.

Children all around pinched their noses and backed away.

I looked down. Yellow liquid trickled from my pants, soaking the floor.

Shame burnt on my face.

Andrew sneered. “How could I have such a disgusting sister?”

Blake’s voice was sharp. “Ruby wet her pants!”

Carter added with glee, “Five years old and still peeing yourself, shameless.”

The laughter roared around me.

I stood frozen, sobbing.

Finally, Ms. Parker, my teacher, rushed over. She cleaned me up gently and found me a fresh set of

clothes.

“You’re still little,” she said kindly. “It happens. Everyone uses the bathroom. Maybe you ate

something that upset your stomach.”

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But I knew this wasn’t the same.

In their eyes, I had already become filthy. From now on, no one would want to be my friend.

After school, Tom came with the Harrington town car to pick up my brothers.

I tried to climb in.

But Blake shoved me back, blocking the door with his body.

“Don’t get in. You’re dirty. You stink. Five years old and still peeing your pants, gross.”

Tom glanced at me, his expression shifting.

Not pity like Ms. Parker’s, but something colder.

My cheeks burned. I dropped my head and stepped back.

The door slammed shut.

“Walk home,” Andrew said flatly. “It’s not far.”

Being left behind, I was used to it.

I walked all the way from dawn to dusk, feet aching, until I finally reached the Harrington Estate.

When I pushed open the door, I froze.

Chloe Baxter was sitting on our sofa, sobbing.

My three brothers surrounded her, speaking softly, coaxing her.

But the moment they saw me, their faces twisted in anger.

“Did you steal something from Chloe?”