Chapter 56
Chapter 56
Stacey couldn't believe that her sister will say something about the photo shoot. It is a good thing that
Nick knows about it because if not she will probably die of shame.
Mrs. Williams just shook her head but didn't make a comment.
Heather slowly tore her eyes from Stacey and looked at Nick who has a grim expression. She jutted out
her chin before speaking again.
"She doesn't have any inhibitions about showing her body to men. Is that the kind of woman you
want?"
That made Stacey snapped. She took one of the coffee porcelain set on the table then she threw the
milk inside it to Heather's face.
"STACEY!" their mother exclaimed.
"YOU BITCH!!" Heather angrily wiped her face with her hand.
"You should be thankful that it's just the cream not the hot coffee! I should have thrown the coffee
instead to scald your thick face! How dare you say that?! We all know that I was forced to do that
pictorial because of you!" she accused. Her voice is shaking.
"Honey.." She heard Nick's gentle voice before he took her hand to hold it firmly.
Without saying it, she feels that he wants her to know that he is here for her.
"Look how barbaric you can be! You really want to hurt me physically?! At least now Nick realized that
you have an evil side!" Heather furiously said before getting the napkin their mother handed.
"Stacey! How could you do such a thing to your sister?! Since when did you start getting violent?! That
is so unbecoming! " Mrs. Williams said angrily.
When Nick pulled her closer to him, she felt safe and braver. It is high time that she defend herself. She
has no reason to feel ashamed because he already knows about the photos. She wants him to know
the real reason why she posed for Not Eye Candy magazine.
"Ma..you know what I have been through because of Heather right?I was expecting that after Bella told
us what kind of magazine I was posing for, you will help me back out. But as usual, you were more
concerned about Heather. I understand that you didn't want her to go behind bars but you would really
let me do such a thing just to save her. What is more painful is tyou didn't even take my side when I got
angry at her because she didn't even say thank you to me after what I did for her. I really mean nothing
to you. " her voice is shaking and she is on the verge of crying.
Her mother looks teary-eyed but didn't say anything.
"So if you had your choice you would let me go to jail?! " Heather accused her.
Stacey looked at her but she seems not to really see her. She felt all the pain of the past come back
again.
" I have always been the sacrificial lamb. When we were kids, mom scolded me all the time when you
did something mischievous. I was always told that even if it was your fault, I should always understand
you because I am older. I accepted everything because I owe your dad a lot. He was genuinely nice to
me and he loves mom very much. I tried to forget how you got me in trouble many times. But what
happened recently is by far the worst one. I bet my life on it that you planned everything. You wanted
me to be in a compromising situation so you are the evil one! I hope you'd soon realized everything you
did to me.I tried very hard to be a good sister to you but it was useless. I finally give up.." she said and
her tears finally fell down.
Nick wrapped his arms around her and he just let her cry on his chest.He has a pensive expression. He
looked first at Mrs. Williams then at Heather.
He didn't know about Stacey's situation. He is more determined to take care of her now.
"Oh puh-leeze! Not another drama from you! "Heather rolled her eyes." Nick! Don't tell me that you
believe all her lies? You still want her knowing that a lot of men drool over her almost naked photos?"
Stacey felt Nick's body tensed but she didn't raise her face. He has his hands around her as if trying to
protect her from her own family.
"No other men saw nor can see her body but me because I bought all the issues of that magazine."he
said chillingly.
That made Stacey raise her face and look at him then at her mom and half-sister. She saw shock
registered on their faces.
When she returned her eyes to Nick, he lowered his head and looked at her intently.
"I did the right thing for Stacey . It saddens me and at the same time angers me knowing that she did
that to save an ungrateful person." he said in a cold voice. He tore his eyes from her and straightened
to look at their mother. "Mrs. Williams, after learning the truth, I believe that Heather never considered
Stacey as a sister even for a minute."
Heather snorted.
"Stacey.." her mother called her in a small voice with a hint of sadness.
"Wow! You succeeded in brainwashing Nick chubi! (bitch) Are you happy now? You have your knight
and shining armor ! Hooray for you! All your plans actually worked!" she said sarcastically.
"She didn't brainwash me. She doesn't need to do that. Your sister has a lot of good qualities half of
which, you will never have in this lifetime." he said in an arctic tone and Heather gasped.
"Nick!" Mrs. Williams called in a disapproving voice.
"Nick.."Stacey murmured as her eyes are on him.
"I apologize again Mrs Williams. Sorry Mrs. Williams but I think Heather needs a serious spanking. She
has done enough to her own sister. I don't mean to offend you but if you can't defend Stacey against
Heather, I guess it is time for her to leave. I am going to take care of her." "he said seriously.
Her mother protested at first but eventually gave in. Maybe she thought it is better this way. Heather
threw a fit after hearing what Nick said but couldn't do anything . Nick even warned her that he will deal
with her if she will attempt to do something bad at her either physically or emotionally again. She
probably knows that Nick is serious but she's too proud to admit that he scares her.
But before turning to go she told Stacey in a very cold voice, "Well, come to think of it..my life will be
better now that you are finally leaving my house!"
***
Everything hasn't sunk in yet but she is now packing her things. Nick insisted that he helps her pack
because he didn't want to leave her even for a minute with Heather around but she asked him to just
wait in the car.
Stacey sighed heavily while she tried to close her suitcase. She turned to Amy who helped her pack
and saw tears falling on her cheeks.
"Amy, why are you crying?" she asked and moved closer to her.
" I have mixed feeling Miss Pretty...I feel sad that you are leaving because you are the only nice person
in this house but I am happy too because finally your prince charming came. Your wicked half-sister will
not hurt you anymore." she said in between snuffles.
She sighed then said," Come here Amy."
Stacey hugged her for a few moments before putting a little space between them.
"Thank you Amy . You sometimes do and say annoying things but most of the time you make me smile.
"
"You are beautiful inside out Miss Pretty so I really want to put a smile on your face to lighten your
burden. You never deserved to be treated that way. And if you need an assistant please let me know. I
would rather go with you anywhere even without pay than stay here with your sister. I already have a
lot of wrinkles because of her! " Amy said with a frown.
Stacey laughed lightly. " You don't have any wrinkles Amy. You are too young to have them. Please
promise me that you won't leave. My mom needs you. Just try to ignore Heather. Who knows one day ,
she will change. Nothing is impossible you know." she said sounding hopeful.
***
Nick, Billy and her mom are in the living room. They are seated on the sofas. Nick was talking to her
mom when she came but when he saw her, he stood up. Billy did too. Nick walked to her to get her
overnight bag. She didn't bring a lot of her stuff because he said she doesn't have to. He motioned for
Billy to help Amy with the other bag.
"Are you ready to go?" he gently asked her and she just nodded.
She turned to her mom who is also on her feet too. She slowly moved towards her. She was just
planning to say goodbye but she hugged her then cried. She on the other hand stopped herself from
crying too. She loves her mother and she doesn't want to bear a grudge against her. She is relieved
because she knows her leaving will make everything lighter. When she felt that her mother wanted to
say something, she touched her arm gently.
"Ma, it's okay. This is for the best. Don't worry about me . I will be fine. Take care of yourself okay?" she
said.
She handed her car keys . "Please say thank you to uncle John for me, Ma. And I am giving you back
the car."
Her mother shook her head and didn't want to get the keys. "No dear. The car is yours. It's our
graduation gift to you. "
" I know Heather hated me more because of it so now you can do what you like with it. I am not going
to take it with me. You can have it back."
She took her mother's hand and put the key on her palm. She is just looking at her sadly.
'But what will you use?" her mother asked sounding genuinely worried.
"Don't worry Mrs. Williams, I will take care of Stacey. I will make sure that she will have everything she
needs. ." said Nick.
***
Billy and Amy are walking ahead of them while they are walking hand in hand. Nick never released her
hand since they went out of the house.
Before they reached the gate she halted and turned to him.
"Nick...thank you." she said.
He stopped walking too and faced her. He also took her other hand.
"Don't thank me honey .I only did what I have to. From now on, I will take care of you and no one will
hurt you again.."
She chewed her bottom lip. How is she going to tell him that she needs to talk to Derick on Friday and
her decision hasn't changed? This is not the right time to talk about that.
"Please don't say that. I am not your responsibility." she said which made Nick frown.
"I called Eve and she said I can stay at her unit. Please just drop me off there." she requested.
"You are not going to stay with your friend." he said through tight lips.
"Nick, I can take care of myself. You don't have to do this. I know you told my mother that you will take
care of me but you don't really need to. She won't know that I am at Eve's.." Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
"I told your mother that I will take care of you because that is what I have been wanting to do for a long
time now. You are not going to stay with Eve! " he said sounding firm.
"Where will I stay then?"
"I am bringing you to my unit. You are going to live with me."