The Day I Didn’t Save You

“Principal Albright, I'm sorry for the trouble. Let’s just drop it.”

Then, Owen turned to me with a faint smile. “Quinn, stop fooling around. I won’t press charges.”

Hah, I thought. How was I ever so blind to his act? I felt a wave of nausea.

“Owen, what gives you the right to press charges against me? And who said anything about proving my innocence?”

Without hesitation, I dialed 911 and said firmly, “NYPD? I've been assaulted on school grounds and need assistance.”

Hearing this, Coralie stared at me in disbelief, her face turning green with rage. “Quinn, what has happened to you?”

She had said the exact same thing to me in my past life. Then, after Owen had destroyed my family, I had burst into their home to plead for her help.

She had dismissed our long friendship and said calmly, “You caused Owen to lose the woman he loved. He hates you, so of course, I can’t help you. Besides, Quinn, what has happened to you? Barging into our house with no manners at all.”

This time, facing Coralie’s fury, I let out a small laugh. “Mrs. Wilson, people have to pay for their mistakes.”

As we walked out of the NYPD station, my father rushed over, his face a mask of panic.

I thought I could hide my emotions in this new life. But the moment I saw him, my composure shattered.

Seeing me cry, my father became agitated and lunged toward the station entrance, ready to hit Owen.

After I stopped him, he looked at me, his eyes red-rimmed with worry. “My darling girl, what about your face? Does it hurt?”

He glared at Coralie, who was now cowering, and roared, “Are you insane? You dare touch my daughter! That’s it! I’m pulling our investment from Wilson Capital’s real estate project. Immediately!”

Owen quickly stepped in front of his mother, looking at my father with feigned earnestness. “Mr. Ravenscroft, please calm down. My mom was just worried. After all, it was Quinn who hired people to beat me up. My mom was just trying to protect me.”

Then, Owen ambled over to me, displaying his injured arm with a theatrical sigh.

“I know you only did it because you like me so much. But Arabella and I are just classmates. I was helping her with her studies at Principal Albright's request, that's all. No matter how jealous you are, you can’t hire people to beat us up.”

What an actor. In a few sentences, he'd painted me as some spoiled, jealous brat.

I fought back the urge to slap him, raising an eyebrow instead. “Who said I like you?” I asked, giving him a pointed look. “Don't flatter yourself.”

Owen was stunned. “What did you say?”

He quickly recovered, assuming I was just lashing out in anger. He shook his head with a helpless smile.

“Stop it, Quinn. You’ve always liked me. We’re practically engaged.”

I hardened my face and cut him off coldly. “I’m sorry, Owen. The engagement is off.”

His eyes widened in shock. He strode forward, grabbing my arm.

“Quinn, don’t be ridiculous. I told you, she’s just a friend.”

I smiled, gently twisted my hand from his grasp, and then pressed down hard on his wound.

Owen gasped, his face turning pale.

My smile widened. “Listen up, Owen. I don't like you, and I won’t marry you. I didn’t hire anyone to beat you up. You should go ask Arabella about that. And be sure to tell her that if she ever slanders me again, she’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”

I looked him up and down with utter contempt. “As for you, go rot in your stupid love.”