Chapter 85: Enough Is Enough

“You took advantage of Shanice’s injury and twisted the truth to make her think Waverly left her for dead. What are you really up to?”

Raylee stared at him, speechless. “Samuel, why don’t you ask Waverly yourself? Did I twist the truth?”

Shanice glared at Waverly. “Exactly! Before you all got here, she admitted it herself. And just now, she said she didn’t mean to leave me behind. That’s as good as a confession!”

Waverly smiled, tears streaming down her face. “I… I…” She stammered, unable to speak coherently.

Shanice didn’t hold back. “She’s such a two-faced snake! How did I not see it all these years?” Furious, she ignored her broken leg, grabbed a water bottle, and hurled it at Waverly.

Waverly was hit, screaming in pain.

Samuel yelled, his voice filled with concern, “Shanice, are you out of your mind?!”

Casimir grabbed Shanice’s arm. “You can say whatever you want, but do you really have to get physical?”

“She almost got me killed! I’d…” Shanice’s face turned pale. Overcome with rage, she collapsed.

“Shanice! Shanice!” Casimir cried, turning to the rescue team. “Hurry! Get my sister to the hospital!”

After a chaotic scramble, everyone boarded ambulances. Casimir rode with Shanice, while Samuel, Waverly, and Raylee were in the other.

Waverly sobbed quietly, as if she were the one who had fallen.

Samuel was furious with Raylee. He snapped, “This was supposed to be a simple hiking trip, but you just had to stir up drama and turn it into a complete disaster! What a nightmare!”

Raylee shot back coldly, “I saved Shanice. I fell off the cliff. So tell me, Mr. Goodridge, how exactly am I the troublemaker here? You can blindly defend your sister all you want, but don’t pin false accusations on me!”

Samuel retorted, “It was an emergency, and Waverly is afraid of heights. It’s understandable she didn’t help. Saving someone is an act of kindness, not an obligation. Who are you to blame her?”

Raylee stared at him silently before saying, “Did I ever blame her? Whether she chose to help or not has nothing to do with me. Why would I waste my breath criticizing her?”

“You may not have badmouthed Waverly to her face, but you talked about her behind her back. Otherwise, Shanice wouldn’t be this upset,” Samuel replied.

“So, no matter what, you’re determined to blame me?” A hint of sadness flickered in Raylee’s eyes. “Even though I saved someone, even though I fell off a cliff and barely survived, all you care about is accusing me. Is that right? Do you even realize I’m injured?”

She untied her bloodstained scarf. “This is just blood from scratches. I used my scarf to wipe it off.”

Samuel’s heart clenched at the sight. Raylee sat across from him, looking fragile.

Overcome with guilt, he blurted out, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were hurt. Why didn’t you say something?”

Raylee laughed mockingly. “Do I really need to spell it out for you? I’m a living, breathing person. I fell off a cliff. Did you honestly think I would come out of it without a scratch? Meanwhile, Waverly didn’t suffer a single injury, and you treat her like she’s made of glass. But when I get hurt, you don’t just ignore it, you blame me. Do you have any idea how fragile people can be? Sometimes, a few words can cut deeper than any wound.”

Waverly wiped away her tears. “Samuel, stop blaming Raylee. She’s hurt too. She needs your support, not more criticism.”

Samuel hesitated before saying in a low voice, “I didn’t realize you were hurt, and I owe you an apology. But you shouldn’t have talked badly about Waverly in front of Shanice. Do you even understand how small Waverly’s social circle is? Shanice is one of the few close friends she has. Now that things have blown up like this, their friendship is probably ruined. Does seeing Waverly upset make you feel better?”

Raylee frowned, her eyes burning with anger. “Samuel, maybe you should get your facts straight. Their friendship fell apart because Waverly stood by and did nothing, and even pushed her. That has absolutely nothing to do with me.”

Raylee had enough. She left the car and found her own ride to the hospital.