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.

you don’t even know what went down, and it’s

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

cut in. “I remember when I came back to the Wilson

happy sisters with her for show. You all rushed over to make sure everyone knew Carmen was still the Wilson princess. Bryan even sent

to back

me. You’re just mad I cleared my

1/3

Chapter 7

over this? Then what about me? I’ve been torn apart online-should

sister, fine.

there’s playing favorites,

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

tried to speak, wanting to claim the family cared about her too, but their

breath, he said, “C’mon,

him like

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

eyes flicked toward them, brows low

MIA for three years, rolled up to grab him

in the car, going nowhere, until Aubree showed

hit him with.”Alvin, you

with his uncle’s glare burning holes, Alvin dragged

She knew Alvin, sure, but they weren’t tight enough to just hit up a burger joint

was her golden ticket to ditch

her hand free and stepped up

was kinda curious, though. ‘What’s the

couple of quick looks as they headed for

20

Turner, and that carried weight. Plus,

Emery’s phone lit up. It was

are in. Mind

in the hospital, Emery had the

a grin. “Alvin, thanks for

back door. That

out his face-just a hand, knuckles sharp, catching the streetlight’s