The Replacement's Revenge - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Angus stood frozen, staring up at the building where I'd been this whole time—the same damn street he'd paced day after day searching for me.
I'd watched him pass by countless times without ever calling out.
Now, after days of relentless searching, he'd finally found me—only to see me sitting beside Milo. The anger he'd been barely containing exploded.
"Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you?!" His voice cracked. "Why are you just sitting here like nothing happened?"
I blinked at him, unfazed.
Wasn't he the one who told me to leave? Called me a pathetic leech? Now he's mad I actually disappeared?
"Seven days," he rasped, voice raw. "I've searched for seven goddamn days. And you were right here the whole time?"
The man before me barely resembled the polished Angus I knew. His usually perfect hair was a mess, dark circles under bloodshot eyes.
I met his gaze calmly. "I told you—after your hundredth wish, I'd disappear. That last one was a bonus."
Angus charged forward, shoving past Milo to sit at my bedside. His trembling hands cradled my arm with surprising gentleness. "Why are you hurt like this?"
Milo's voice cut like ice. "Why? That's your doing."
I tugged Milo's sleeve—a silent plea to stand down. With visible effort, he swallowed his anger and resumed carefully blowing on my herbal medicine.
Angus scoffed. "Going all out to win her over? Don't waste your time—Rose only has eyes for me."
He said it with such conviction, like some unshakable truth.
Then came the performance—his gaze softening, fingers tending my wounds with exaggerated care, eyes glistening with manufactured emotion.
I shoved his hand away. Wasn't he the one who'd caused these wounds? Who handed me over to that psychopath without hesitation?
As I sipped Milo's medicine, I remembered—all those years when Milo had quietly watched over me while Angus preened at my indifference toward him.
Now, seeing me accept Milo's care without resistance, something in Angus snapped.
He grabbed my injured arm roughly. White-hot pain shot through me as I wrenched free. "Stop flattering yourself."
His face darkened. "Isn't this what you wanted? Now you can be with precious Hallie." My laugh was bitter. "Or did you come to ask me to be your mistress?"
Angus froze like I'd slapped him. After a long pause: "Stay with me. Whatever she has—you'll have too."
Milo exploded. "We're engaged. Who the hell do you think you are?" He grabbed Angus's collar.
Their fists flew with sickening thuds. Even mid-fight, Angus shot me that infuriating look—like he still owned me.
"Rose, come back. I'll give you everything—everything but a ring." His voice turned wheedling. "You don't have to use Milo to punish me."
A cold laugh escaped me. "How many times did you hurt me for Hallie? Why would I ever forgive you?"
Something like regret flickered across his face. "Hallie just came back. I wanted to make her feel secure. I went too far, but—"
His words curdled in my stomach as he finished: "Come back. I'll treat you both the same."