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.

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

Carmen’s dumb staircase fall-but Aubree shut

in. “I remember when I came back to the Wilson family. Carmen was getting trashed at school, people saying she’d be

play happy sisters with her for show. You all rushed over to make sure everyone

to back me up?

you’re not protecting me. You’re just mad I cleared my

1/3

Chapter 7

of glass? She cries over this? Then what about me?

your favorite sister, fine. Why

favorites, and

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

claim the family cared about her

breath, he said, “C’mon, just come home with

at him like

sharp, confident voice broke in. Alvin, decked out in a crisp white shirt

flicked toward them, brows low and screaming

face was stone-cold. He’d been thrown off when his uncle, who’d been MIA for three years, rolled

in the car, going nowhere, until Aubree showed up

with.”Alvin, you

with his uncle’s glare burning holes, Alvin

knew Alvin, sure, but they weren’t tight enough to just

her golden

her hand free and stepped up next to

kinda curious, though.

shot her a couple of quick looks as they headed

20

No chance. Kid’s last name was Turner, and that carried weight. Plus, rumor was Bowen was back

off, Emery’s phone lit up. It was

in. Mind swinging by to

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

a grin. “Alvin, thanks

swinging open the car’s back door. That was when

a hand, knuckles sharp, catching the