Back From Prison, Built For Revenge - Chapter 67: Chapter 67

Chloe rested her hand on the doorknob, hesitating to push it open. She knew Evelyn had been waiting for her a long time. However, just thinking about the people inside filled her with gritty unease, leaving her utterly uncomfortable.
The door suddenly swung open from inside. Sadie peeked out with a smile and called, "What are you just standing there for, Chloe? Mrs. Stone has been asking about you all morning."
Chloe's breath hitched. She had no choice but to follow Sadie in. The room was a little dim, and Evelyn sat by the bed, her eyes shining brightly. When she saw Chloe, she beamed.
Evelyn beckoned warmly to Chloe. "Come here, dear."
Chloe hesitated for a moment before forcing herself forward and sitting by the bed. Taking Evelyn's hand in hers, she noticed how cool it felt. "Are you feeling chilly?" she asked softly.
"Not at all," Evelyn said, her eyes brimming with concern. "I heard you were in the hospital. Are you alright?"
"It's nothing. Just a minor issue," Chloe replied, but inwardly, she stayed on guard. She knew these people too well. Behind every seemingly harmless greeting, there was always a hidden blade.
Yolanda sidled up with a sweet smile. "Chloe, I almost thought you didn't want to see us," she purred, her lips curved in a smile, but her eyes icy cold.
Chloe's heart skipped a beat. She knew that smile all too well. It never boded well. "Why wouldn't I?" she said, brushing it off, her gaze moving past Carlos and Hayden. They stood there unmoving, like wolves sizing up their prey.
Carlos interjected abruptly, his gaze locked on Chloe as if waiting for her reaction. "Evelyn, are you doing well?"
"I'm doing well. You should take care of yourself too," Evelyn replied warmly.
The atmosphere grew a bit awkward for a moment. Yolanda suddenly scoffed, "Chloe, you've been ignoring me. Could it be you're still bitter about me stealing your fiancé?"
Yolanda's words pierced Chloe's heart like a needle, striking her most vulnerable spot. Through clenched teeth, Chloe hissed, "Shut up."
"Did I say something wrong?" Yolanda purred, her smile sickly sweet, but her eyes brimming with malice.
Evelyn frowned, "We're all family here. No need to bicker."
"I'm just stating facts. Your fiancé is mine now, Chloe," Yolanda purred, pressing closer to Carlos.
Chloe clenched and unclenched her fists. She wouldn't lose control in front of Evelyn, but the fury boiling inside her was becoming unbearable.
"Chloe, you look a bit pale. Why don't you go and rest for a while?" Evelyn asked with concern.
"I'm fine," Chloe said, but inside she thought, 'I need to find an excuse to get out of here. The air is so suffocating. I can barely breathe.'
Hayden cut in with a sneer, "Chloe, still hung up on Carlos? The engagement's off. It's time to move on."
Chloe's entire body went rigid. She fixed Hayden with a venomous glare and snapped, "That's none of your damn business."
"I'm only saying this for your own good," Hayden sneered.
"That's enough," Evelyn cut in, her voice heavy with exhaustion. "No more arguing."
"Grandma," Yolanda persisted with feigned concern, "I'm only looking out for Chloe. She's so hung up on the past. It must be exhausting for her."
Chloe jumped to her feet, her chair scraping loudly across the floor. She snapped, "Are you done?"
Yolanda dropped all pretense, her eyes blazing with challenge. "What? Did I hit a raw nerve?"
Chloe trembled with barely suppressed rage. "I'm leaving now."
"Wait," Yolanda cooed, her voice sickeningly sweet as she caught up to Chloe. "I'll go with you."
"Don't bother," Chloe said curtly, never breaking her stride.
"Oh, come on," Yolanda cooed, tugging at Chloe's sleeve with feigned affection. "It's been ages since we've seen each other."
Chloe yanked her hand away and snapped, "Enough! Drop the act!"
Demi appeared at just the right moment. "Ms. Stone, it's time for your medication."
Chloe hurried out, feeling a huge weight lifted off her shoulders, only to find Carlos waiting right outside.
Carlos blocked her way. "What are you running from?"
Chloe turned her head away and snapped, "Get out of my way."
"Are you still blaming me?" Carlos asked, his voice low and heavy.
"Blame you?" Chloe scoffed. "Are you worth it?"
Carlos said, "Between us..."
"There's nothing between us," Chloe cut him off sharply. "Aren't you and Yolanda just perfect together?"
"You know that's not what I meant," said Carlos.
"I don't know," Chloe said, lifting her head, her eyes filled with glacial coldness. "And I don't care to know either."
Carlos gripped her wrist, his voice urgent. "Please, just hear me out."
Chloe struggled to break free, snapping, "Let me go!"
"Do you really have to be like this?" Carlos's voice sounded strained.
Chloe stopped, locking eyes with him. "Yes," she said firmly, "this is exactly how I want to be."
Carlos slowly released her wrist, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Do you hate me?"
"Not worth it." Chloe swept past him.
Stepping out the front door, the harsh sunlight stung her eyes. She paused on the steps, drawing in a deep, steadying breath.
Chloe pulled out her phone and dialed. In a low, steady voice, she ordered, "Find out what Yolanda's been up to lately." A voice on the other end replied, "Got it."
Chloe hung up the phone and stared at the distant sky. It was a brilliant blue with pure white clouds, but inside, she felt dark and empty. She knew this revenge was just the beginning. 'Does Yolanda think she's won? How ridiculous. The game has barely started,' she thought.
Chloe slid into the driver's seat and slammed on the gas. As the engine roared, Yolanda's smug face flashed through her mind. She sneered inwardly, 'Just you wait. This time, I won't show any mercy.'
The car pulled out of the yard and merged into traffic. Chloe watched the mansion grow smaller in her rearview mirror, a cold smirk twisting her lips. Since they'd forced her down this path, they couldn't blame her for being ruthless.
Chloe lowered the window, letting the icy wind rush in. It was freezing, but she was used to it. She'd never known what true warmth felt like. And she didn't need it anymore.
At a red light, Chloe saw a young couple playfully flirting on the sidewalk. The girl was laughing, and the boy looked at her adoringly. Chloe quickly looked away, feeling a sharp pang of bitterness in her chest.
There was a time when Chloe thought she could have that kind of happiness too. But reality slapped her in the face. It turned out that she wasn't even worthy of it.
She slammed on the gas, trying to leave all the unpleasantness behind. But the scenes kept replaying in her mind like a broken record: Yolanda's biting sarcasm, Carlos's hypocrisy, and Hayden's cold sneers.
Chloe clutched the steering wheel so hard that her knuckles turned white. Every single one of them would have to pay. For all the humiliation and pain they had caused her over the years, she would make them suffer a hundred times more.