Chapter 5 Picking a Fight
1131 Words
Georgina wandered around New York City for hours. Her head felt like it was going to burst and she truly believed that she was losing her mind. The pitiful gazes from strangers took in her tearful face and her arms wrapped around herself in a desperate attempt to find comfort.
After she ran away from home, she called her fiancé Austin several times, but no one answered.
Now that she'd lost everything in a single day, Georgina questioned if her life meant anything at all. Who was she without her father, without her fiancé Austin? She felt like nobody. Her entire existence had depended on others and now that they were gone, she couldn't see a way out of her situation.
The sky painted itself in shades of pink and purple as the sun began to set behind tall skyscrapers. The roads were packed with cars and New Yorkers rushed in all directions to get home or gather at bars. Georgina stood frozen in the midst of that chaos, directionless.
Going home wasn't an option. She couldn't face her dad again. He hadn't even bothered to call or text to check if she was okay. She no longer existed for him. Georgina wouldn't be surprised if he was already busy moving Megan and her mother into their family home. No, returning there was impossible.
Another option could be her friend Charlotte's house. The idea brought a fleeting smile to her face before she remembered Charlotte was out of town. Besides, she couldn't trust any of her friends anymore after what Megan had done to her.
Georgina decided to keep walking, hoping it might help her figure out her next move. As she passed a restaurant, her stomach rumbled loudly. She hadn't eaten anything all day, and the aroma of grilled steak and roasted potatoes made her mouth water.
The neighborhood suddenly felt familiar. She used to come here often with her parents before her mother's death. They'd dine out at least twice a week... those were happier times.
Following her memories, Georgina found her favorite restaurant at the end of the street. It hadn't changed much, and seeing it brought back memories of her mother. A slight smile formed when she noticed the restaurant was part of a luxurious hotel. It felt like a sign from the universe - she could eat and stay for the night.
Georgina walked in, carefully scanning the restaurant. The dining room was crowded as she searched for an empty table. When her gaze fell on the bar at the other end, she gasped. She'd just locked eyes with someone she wasn't expecting to see again.
Megan was clearly not done ruining her day.
Georgina stepped back, hoping to leave unnoticed, but it was too late. Megan had already spotted her. The surprised expression on her face quickly transformed into a calculating smirk, recognizing another opportunity to humiliate Georgina. She'd been drinking cocktails with her mother at the bar but now had found more entertaining prey.
Megan took her glass and approached Georgina, swaying confidently in her perfectly fitted black dress.
"Well, well, well..." she laughed. "If it isn't Georgina Devins."
"What are you doing here?" Georgina asked through clenched teeth.
"I should ask you that question. I was here first, and if I didn't know better, I'd say you're following me."
Georgina clenched her fists. Several diners were already throwing curious glances their way. Though emotionally exhausted, she didn't want to cause another scene. Megan, however, had other plans:
"Dad invited us out," she sighed. "After how you treated us earlier, we needed to relax... Dad will be upset when he finds out you followed us here to cause more trouble. Oh, and we invited Austin too. He should be here soon. Maybe you can stay and say hi when he arrives?"
Georgina's eyes welled with tears. She didn't want Megan's words to affect her, but they cut deep. Her father was taking his other family to the restaurant she used to visit with her mother... Even her fiancé had abandoned her.
"Just... leave me alone," she said softly, too broken to yell.
"But I'm not done, Gina. I haven't shared the best news. We're moving in with dad tomorrow! Do you think he'll let me take your room?"
Georgina felt rage burning in her stomach. Megan noticed the flash in her eyes and leaned closer, whispering:
"What are you going to do, Gina? I took your dad, your home, and your man in a single day. How does that feel?"
Megan clearly wanted a reaction, and almost got one, but Georgina swallowed her anger and turned away. Someone so shameless didn't deserve her attention. As she started toward the exit, Megan called after her:
"Don't you want to know why Austin gave up on you?"
Those words stopped Georgina mid-step. She knew Megan was only trying to hurt her, and she was letting it happen. But the pain of Austin ignoring her calls was too much. What had Megan told him? What could have convinced him to abandon their relationship without even hearing Georgina's side?
The restaurant fell silent as everyone turned to listen to Megan's next words.
"I told him what kind of slut you are. I told him you slept with men while dating him. I told him about all your abortions... He was so angry. And with the proof I showed him, he had no choice but to believe me and turn to me for comfort."
Georgina slowly turned to face Megan's smug, hateful expression.
"Don't look at me like that!" Megan snapped. "This is what you deserve! You and your mother stole from us first. Your mother took my dad, and you thought I'd just accept that? Wrong. I'm giving you payback. I've taken your man, but I won't stop there. I'll take everything—even your last name. Everything that belongs to you will be mine. This is only the beginning."
Something inside Georgina snapped. She rushed toward Megan, grabbed her shoulders and headbutted her. Gasps erupted throughout the restaurant. Megan screamed in pain while Georgina clutched her own forehead. She'd hoped to break Megan's nose, but unfortunately, her half-sister seemed relatively unharmed aside from what might become a bump on her forehead.
"What's wrong with you?!" Megan screeched.
"I will kill you," Georgina said in a low, dangerous voice. "I will f*****g kill you."
And she meant it. She might have wrapped her hands around Megan's neck if not for the angry voice that thundered behind her:
"Georgina!"
She turned to see Austin standing there, having witnessed everything. Her heart plummeted at the sight of her fiancé's disappointed face.
"What are you doing?" he demanded.
Her mouth opened, but no words came out. What was she doing, indeed?
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