The Queen They Buried

Chapter 7

The school day blew by. Aubree’s high school had evening study sessions, but she’d gotten a pass from her teacher to skip

them.

She grabbed her bag, ready to hit the store for some groceries to cook dinner. Needed fuel for a late-night gaming sesh at

the internet café.

But right outside the school gates, someone stepped in her way.

It was Emery.

His face was twisted, eyes flashing with disappointment and anger. “I thought cutting off Dad was bad, Aubree, but this? Didn’t think you’d go this dirty.”

Aubree frowned, totally lost. She took a step back. “What’re you even talking about? If it’s nothing, just… let me go, okay?”

Emery’s jaw clenched, like he was biting back a yell. “Why’d you post that video on the school forum? You know how much this’ll wreck Carmen?

“She’s at Rithol Art School, training, and called me crying her eyes out. Says she doesn’t even know why you’re mad at her, and you’re out here ruining her. That’s cold, Aubree.”

‘Cold?’ Aubree let out a sharp laugh, then smirked. This was too much. They all knew about the forum drama—the lies trashing her name-and didn’t care.

But the second her comeback hit Carmen? Boom, she’s the bad guy, no questions asked.

“Emery, is your brain just for decoration?” she snapped. “Only people at the Wilson family party knew about that video. You think those big shots would mess with the Wilsons? So, who leaked it, huh?

“If I wasn’t getting slammed online first, you think I’d post that video for giggles? And FYI, that video’s legit. It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

Emery blinked, thrown, but rallied fast. “You’re always ticking someone off, Aubree. That forum post? Probably just payback from someone you annoyed. Carmen would never do that.”

Aubree rolled her eyes so hard it stung. She was done with this Carmen fanboy. “Buzz off,” she growled.

But Emery wasn’t dropping it. As she turned to leave, he grabbed her wrist. “You’re coming with me to apologize to Carmen. Now. I’ll sort out the truth later, but you’re fixing this.”

He wouldn’t let go.

She glared at him. “So, you don’t even know what went down,

his mouth-probably to bring up Carmen’s dumb staircase fall-but

Wilson family. Carmen was getting trashed at school, people saying she’d

her for show. You all rushed over to make sure everyone knew Carmen was still the Wilson princess. Bryan even sent a lawyer’s

you done to back

my real brother, you’re not protecting me. You’re just mad I

1/3

Chapter 7

this? Then what about me? I’ve been torn apart

Carmen’s your favorite sister, fine. Why even

there’s playing favorites, and then there’s

didn’t say a word, because he knew she’d hit the nail

claim the family cared about her too, but their icy vibes from

breath, he said, “C’mon, just come

him like he was

we grabbing food?” A sharp, confident voice broke in. Alvin, decked out in a crisp white shirt and black pants,

them, brows low and screaming I’m over

He’d been thrown off when his uncle, who’d been MIA for three years,

They just sat in the car, going nowhere, until Aubree showed up at the

Bowen hit him with.”Alvin, you gotta

with his uncle’s glare burning holes, Alvin

for a sec. She knew Alvin, sure, but they weren’t tight enough to just hit up a

this was her golden ticket to ditch

hand free and stepped up next to

He was kinda curious, though. ‘What’s the story

her a couple of quick looks

20

chance. Kid’s last name was Turner, and that carried weight. Plus,

Aubree took off, Emery’s phone lit up.

Miller’s test results are in. Mind swinging by to grab ’em?”

out and landed in the hospital, Emery had the docs give her a

Aubree flashed Alvin a grin. “Alvin, thanks for the

Alvin said, swinging open the car’s back door. That was

couldn’t make out his face-just a hand, knuckles sharp,