Chapter 6 Both Caleb and Aria turned white as sheets. The second Caleb heard my voice, he instinctively shoved Aria away from him. "Sloane, what are you doing here?" He had this guilty ass smile plastered on his face, but his eyes were datting everywhere except at me. I raised an eyebrow, confused: "Good question, since when do I need permission to come to my own house?" That set off all the other guests immediately. Some relative came charging forward: "Who the fuck do you think you are? This is clearly Aria's house-what's it got to do with you?" Seriously, what kind of bitch are out there these days!" Everyone else started piling on. didn't waste time arguing. I walked straight to the front door and pressed my finger to the scanner. 3EEP. The door swung open. Everyone's jaws hit the floor. But that same relative actually had the audacity to spit and yell: "Oh, so you snuck around and changed the locks!" A few of the younger relatives jumped in too: "Hey, old girl, are you seriously just jealous that Aria found her perfect love story?" I mean, of course. You're all washed up-obviously you can't land a hot, rich guy like we can." hey were all talking over each other, but every single word was trashing me. ignored their chattering completely and just stared at Caleb, not saying a word. But here's what I didn't expect-Caleb just stood there the whole time, head down, completely silent. le didn't defend me once. Didn't tell a single one of these assholes to back off. frowned and asked him directly: "Caleb, do you think they're right?" More silence. o this is what Caleb really thought of me. fter everything we'd been through together, he still thought the grass was greener-and younger-on the other side. uddenly something slammed into me hard. I went flying, my head cracking against the doorframe. Blood started pouring down my face. aleb instinctively moved toward me, but Aria acted all terrified of the blood and grabbed onto his sleeve. Caleb hesitated for a moment, then stayed put next to Aria. watched this whole scene quietly. The blood was blurring my vision, but somehow I could see everything more clearly than ever. essica-the one who'd shoved me-stepped in front of them, pointing at me and spitting mad: Sloane Thompson, I'm warning you-enough! You're way too old to be fighting over guys with twenty-somethings. You haven't changed one bit-still jealous as ell!" looked at this woman who'd been my best friend for six years, my voice eerily calm: 'All those designer bags and perfumes I've bought you over the years-wasn't that enough?" "What exactly did she offer you to make you her little lapdog?" 1935 Shut your fuck up!" SLAP! A burning slap landed across my face. Jessica was red-faced with rage: "Sloane Thompson, I hate that stuck-up attitude of yours! Think having money makes you hot shit? Well guess what-you still got dumped!" Those six years weren't just bags and perfume, I'd used my connections to get her a cushy job, and I'd pulled strings to get her brother into the best school downtown. And now a slap is how she repaid me. I staggered to my feet and started walking toward them, step by step. But before I could say anything, Aria suddenly screamed and collapsed as I got closer. Everyone panicked immediately. Caleb scooped Aria up, shouting: "Someone call 911! Call 911 now!"