The So-called Art

"And the year before that year, Bianca had just come back from overseas. You all used my five-star hotel and threw her a party for a week straight. Not only did you forget about my birthday, but none of you even paid the bill. I had to settle that million dollars out of my pocket.

"As for this year, I'm not even going to talk about the others. You dressed up like that just to pose in her photoshoot. Even a streetwalker dressed more decently than her. What would you think if I did the same with another man?"

Zachary's face contorted in anger. "Lindsey Ford, could you not be so disgusting with your words?

"Bianca did it to celebrate her body as a form of art. It was about confidence and breaking free from the chains. She wore that to explore her own body. You wouldn't understand it."

He looked at me with disgust before continuing, "I was contributing to art. If you think it's disgusting, it's because you know nothing about its beauty. Not only that, you're just jealous and can't take it when someone else's outstanding."

I nodded slowly. "Yeah, you're right. I should be a saint and forgive my boyfriend for pursuing his artistic awakening instead of spending time with me on my birthday. Is that right?"

"Exactly! You'll still have your birthday next year, but this was Bianca's only time to capture her prime youth. Once it's gone, it's gone. I was just helping a friend chase her dreams. What's wrong with that?"

"You're absolutely right," I said approvingly. "If that's how much you love art, then go for it. We're done."

The second I said it, Zachary panicked. "Are you breaking up with me? Over this stupid thing?

"Have you gone crazy? I helped Bianca as a friend because she had no one else. What's the big deal? Can you stop the nonsense? I'm already lying on a hospital bed, and you're still acting up like this?"

"I'm not acting up at all. You kept going on about how Bianca was alone, but what about me? My parents are overseas, too. Do you remember what you promised them before they left? Have you held up to any of that?" I questioned.

Zachary just looked away stubbornly. "Whatever. This is still your fault!"

I gave him one last look. "If you insist, then I have nothing more to say. Rest well. I'll pay for your hospital bills."

Just as I stood up to leave, Zachary's father, Daniel Murdock, slapped Zachary across the face.

Zachary stared at his father in disbelief. "Dad! What the hell!"

Susan rushed forward, pushing her husband aside. "Have you lost your mind? Why did you hit him?"

"Serves him right!" Daniel roared. "He's about to get married, but he's still out there messing around with other women. Doesn't he deserve that slap?

"If he hadn't been chasing that woman around, would he be lying in this hospital bed right now? He brought this on himself!"

Daniel turned to me and said apologetically, "Don't be angry, Lindsey. I'll make sure this idiot learn his lesson. I swear that this will never happen again."

I raised my hand to stop him. "Forget about teaching him a lesson. If you really want me to forgive him, I have one condition."

Zachary's eyes lit up. "What condition? Tell me. I'll do anything!"

"Call the police," I said as I looked him dead in the eye. "File a report and charge the person who hit you. Take it all the way."

If Zachary's legs weren't broken, he would have leapt out of the bed. "No way! Liam didn't mean to hit me. It was an accident. He's my good friend, so I'm absolutely not turning him in!"

"Suit yourself." I was done wasting my time here and stood up to leave.

At the door, I turned back and said one last time, "Starting today, your precious friends can stop dreaming about getting anything out of the Ford family.

"Since you've made it clear that the man who tried to kill your fiancée matters more, I'll handle it myself."

As I walked out of the hospital, Bianca was walking over hurriedly.

She noticed me and sneered, "I heard Zachary got hurt. You don't mind me visiting, do you?"

"Nope." I shrugged. "We broke up. Visit him or sleep with him, I couldn't care less."

I tried to walk past her, but Bianca threw out an arm to stop me. "Lindsey Ford, don't think having some money makes you anything special. So what? Zachary is still chasing after me like a dog in heat."

She spat out in disgust, "Do you really think that he loves you? Please. He's just at that age where it's time to settle down. He's only with you because it makes things easier for his company. To him, you're nothing but a pawn. His words, not mine.

"Do you think he was happy with you? He never mentioned your name once when he was with me. Whether drunk or sleeping, he always called my name."

Her eyes glinted with malicious intent as she continued, "And it's not just Zachary. Liam and the rest of the boys? I can make them do anything with just a snap of my fingers."

Something she said made me pause.

"Oh?" I said softly. "So, did you instruct Liam to hit me with a car?"

She scoffed, "I never said that. A spoiled princess like you has no clue what men really want. That's why you keep losing them.

"I can't stand how these women from rich families are acting so noble and full of themselves. That's why I take your men to make sure you never have your happy ending."

Her face was practically glowing with smug pride. "As long as you're miserable, then I'm good."

I nodded and looked past her shoulder. "Did you all hear that?"

Bianca spun around and froze. Three women stood behind her, all wearing expressions like they were about to tear her limb from limb.

Liam's ex-girlfriend stood in the lead. "So you're Bianca? What a big mouth you have! You feel proud having shared boyfriends, huh?"

Bianca stared at me, stunned. "Did you call them here?"

I smiled sweetly. "I was waiting for them, but who were you waiting for?"