Chapter 6 Don't Give A Damn About Him

A modified black SUV idled at the entrance of the police station.

Inside the vehicle, Julian caught sight of Leland strolling out and scowled. "Took you long enough. What kept you?"

Leland didn't rush to get in. Lighting a cigarette with a casual flick, he replied nonchalantly, "They wanted me to give a witness statement. Took a bit of time."

He exhaled a stream of smoke before adding, "From what I gathered, they think the assaulter is just a reckless boy and want you to go easy on him."

Julian's jaw clenched. "Hmph, given my relationship with Bethany, I've already been more lenient than he deserves," he muttered darkly, his eyes flashing with irritation. Despite his fondness for Bethany, he wished she'd be more obedient.

She'd always been accommodating-except for her ridiculous stance on no sex before marriage. He was content with everything else about her.

But ever since she'd found out about his engagement to another woman, she'd become insufferable. Laughable, really. Did she actually believe he'd marry someone as poor as her?

Leland chuckled lazily, smoke curling from his lips. "You really are heartless, you know that?"

"She's just a plaything. If I don't keep her in check, she'll start thinking she's something special." Julian's voice grew more dismissive, irritation simmering beneath the surface. As if convincing himself, he added, "Just wait. She'll come crawling back."

Leland's only response was a slight tilt of his head.

Seeing Leland still standing outside, Julian swallowed his frustration. He knew better than to vent it on Leland. Instead, he tried coaxing, "Get in the car already. There're some fresh faces at Dreamscape tonight. Jeffrey wants us there. Have a few drinks with me."

Leland flicked his cigarette ash and stepped back, waving Julian off. "Nah, I've got other plans."

Julian's brow furrowed in exasperation. "You bailed on me yesterday too. What's up? Family counting on you to put food on the table now?"

Leland shot him a lazy look, eyes icy and sharp.

Julian's hands shot up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, I'll back off."

Unlike most of their circle, Leland had taken over his family's business two years ago and actually had to earn a living. It made him an anomaly among the privileged heirs.

With their long-standing friendship, Julian knew Leland's true nature. Beneath that polished exterior lay a darkness-a monster wrapped in human skin.

Usually, Leland shrugged off their teasing. But on rare occasions, when his mood soured, even Julian knew to tread carefully.

Two hours later, Bethany finally emerged from the station.

The middle-aged officer followed her to the doors, his voice firm but not unkind. "If you don't want your brother locked up, you'd better find a way to settle things out of court. Otherwise, if the victim presses charges, he'll definitely win."

"Thank you." She nodded faintly.

The sun had fully risen by then, its intense rays making her head throb. She steadied herself against the wall, squeezing her eyes shut as the pain splintered through her skull.

For a moment, the warmth of the sun felt like a comforting hand on her head, and she sank down slowly, wrapping her arms around her knees. The frustration and helplessness she'd held back surged forward in a wave.

She buried her face in her arms, tears silently soaking her sleeves.

Just for a moment. She'd allow herself to feel weak for just a little while.

After a few minutes, she lifted her head, wiping away the last traces of vulnerability, and forced herself to look up at the sky.

But as soon as she raised her gaze, she noticed Leland standing in front of her, his expression unreadable. How long had he been there?

He still had his hands tucked into his pockets, his handsome face cool and detached, tinged with what looked like pity.

Pity?

No. That couldn't be. Leland wasn't capable of that emotion.

Bethany squinted, but all she saw was the same indifferent coldness. He looked at her as if she were a stray dog-something to be discarded and forgotten.

Must've been her imagination. She instinctively brushed her fingers against the corner of her eyes, confirming there were no lingering tears, then rose unsteadily, using the wall for support.

She was already a mess-crying would only make her more pathetic.

Leland pulled out another cigarette but didn't light it. From his angle, her face was pale as death, but her eyes and lips stood out, provocatively red.

It reminded him of that night, how those very eyes had stared up at him from the bed, pleading like a kitten for mercy.

She was captivating.

He bit down hard, leaving faint marks on the cigarette's filter, before allowing a faint, almost mocking smile. "Julian listens to reason, not force. If you're smart, you'll soften him up."

He paused, like a detached observer enjoying the drama. "He still has a soft spot for you. Who knows, maybe he'll take you back."

Bethany's lips curled into a bitter smile. "The only reason I'd go back to him is to tell him I don't give a damn about him-and that I've already slept with his best friend."