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.

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

bring up Carmen’s dumb staircase fall-but Aubree shut

back to the Wilson

to make sure everyone knew Carmen was still the Wilson princess. Bryan

to back me up? Nothing.

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

1/3

Chapter 7

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

your favorite sister, fine. Why even bother

favorites, and then

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

tried to speak, wanting to claim the family cared about her too, but their icy vibes from before left him

a deep breath, he said, “C’mon, just come home

at him like he

food?” A sharp, confident voice broke in. Alvin, decked out in a crisp white shirt and black pants, sauntered over, one hand stuffed

toward them, brows

thrown off when his uncle, who’d been MIA for three years, rolled up to grab him from school. Thought maybe

going nowhere, until Aubree

him with.”Alvin, you gotta build those classmate connections,

uncle’s glare burning holes, Alvin

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

her golden

and stepped up next to Alvin.

kinda curious, though.

quick looks

20

Turner,

Emery’s phone lit up. It was the

Mind swinging by to grab

landed in the hospital, Emery had the docs

Aubree flashed Alvin a grin. “Alvin, thanks for the save. I’m gonna dip

swinging open the car’s back door.

out his face-just a hand,