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,

Carmen’s dumb staircase fall-but Aubree

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

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

you done to back

mad I cleared my name because it

1/3

Chapter 7

Then what about me? I’ve been torn

your favorite sister, fine. Why even bother

playing favorites, and then there’s

a word, because he knew she’d hit the nail

tried to speak, wanting to claim the family cared about her

said, “C’mon, just come home with

looked at him

A sharp, confident voice broke in. Alvin, decked out in a crisp white shirt and black pants, sauntered over,

toward them, brows low and screaming I’m over

for three years, rolled

in the car, going nowhere, until

Bowen hit him with.”Alvin, you gotta build those

with his uncle’s glare burning holes,

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

was her golden ticket to ditch

her hand free and stepped up next to

clenched. He was kinda curious, though. ‘What’s the story with Aubree and Uncle

quick looks as they headed for the

20

Aubree, but Alvin? No chance. Kid’s last name was Turner, and that

Emery’s phone

results are in. Mind

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

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

the car’s back door. That was when Aubree

face-just a hand, knuckles