waking

Chapter 24 

Cheryl was a hot mess, tears streaming down her face as she made her plea to Shawn “Hey, remember when I stuck by you! I’m begging you, cut me some slack here and give me a hand this time, will you?” 

Shawn signaled Naomi to hold up. When push came to shove, he was on his own. Plus, it was not like he and Cheryl were ever an item. 

The moment Shawn had his accident, Cheryl ghosted him. Barbara, seeing her grandson go through such tough times, wasn’t about to let that slide. While Shawn was recovering in the hospital, she went after the Larson family, curting them off and coming down on them so hard they had no chance to bounce back. When the Fischer family wanted one done, they were done. 

The Larson family wasn’t going down without a fight, so they pushed Cheryl, using her own mom, to go crawling back to Barbara and Shawn to beg forgiveness. Shawn wouldn’t see her, leaving her to grovel to Barbara. And sure, Barbara let her into the manor–just to knock her down a peg or 

two. 

There was Cheryl, on her knees, day and night at the manor gate, waiting for a pardon that wasn’t coming. Her knees screaming, but crying out was off the table. And then, watching Shawn come back hanging with Naomi, a girl Barbara seemed to really dig, was just twisting the knife. I used to be the one having all the attention!‘ she exclaimed to herself. 

“Shawn, are you trying to punish me for bailing after your accident? Cheryl whimpered, teary–eyed, reaching out for Shawn’s leg. But without missing a beat, he flicked her hand off with his foor 

“Did I say you could touch me?” Shawn’s voice was ice–cold and sharp, his disgust clear as day the second Cheryl was near. 

He pulled Naomi in and laid a kiss on her, his discomfort fading into the background with Naomi’s soft gardenia scent filling his senses. 

Naomi was surprised but went with it, kissing him back. 

Cheryl was left lying there, each part of her wrecked–body and heart–her misery magnified by the sight of Naomi kissing Shawn in his arms. 

Before his accident, Shawn was a knockout–his build, his height, he had it all, and he knew how to flaunt it. His legs alone were scene–stealers. But the guy had zero interest in women; anyone who got close ended up regretting it, except for Cheryl. 

At one party, Cheryl ended up in Shawn’s private space by mistake, found him drunk, and looked after him. She didn’t get far, but it was enough for Shawn to let her stay until morning, and after that, she somehow became his plus–one. 

The thing was, Shawn never treated her like a girlfriend. She could hang around but had to keep her distance, always five feet back, like he was allergic or something- 

Cheryl figured maybe Shawn just wasn’t into women and having her there helped dodge the rumors. It was a decent deal–her family got plenty from the Fischer family, and Barbara even spoiled her rotten with gifts. 

But Cheryl wasn’t just an accessory; she wanted more than the loot and the perks. She wanted real love, Shawn making a fuss over her, the whole nine yards. But all she ever got was to be in his shadow, never more than that. 

If Shawn was just some regular dude. this whole mess might never have happened. But the man was the total package: he had the looks of a model and great charm that put him at the top of the social ladder, It was pretty much impossible not to be drawn to him 

Cheryl’s face was wet with tears. She had thought Shawn kept her at arm’s length because he wasn’t into women. But here he was, locking lips with another girl right in front of her. 

“Shawn, you’re doing this to get even, huh? Is that it? You and your family have already wrecked my folks. Can’t you just leave me alone? Cheryl broke down, the tears flowing like a river. “I had your back for years! How can you do me dirty like that?” She felt like garbage, realizing Shawn didn’t love her back. After his crash, he’d been hurt and confined to a wheelchair, and she got scared and bolted, which felt like the normal thing to do. Why was the Fischer family making her out to be the villain? 

In the meantime, Shawn p 

pushed through the disgust. He let Naomi go and said in his ice–cool vibe, “Look after her.” 

“Got it. Mr. Fischer, replied Chandler. 

Naomi was still feeling all hot and bothered; Shawn’s kiss was fierce and wild, like he could eat her up. 

As Shawn rolled off, Naomi fanned her face, trying to chill out. She went to Cheryl and offered a hand. “Here, let me help you. 

“Don’t act like you care, Cheryl hissed, batting the hand away, “Don’t think you’re anything special. “Today’s queen is tomorrow’s jester. just like me” 

Youll end up 

Cheryl’s tears kept coming as she went on, “He used to show me some sugar 100. What’s so wrong about wanting a normal life! Don’t think for å second Shawn’s really into you. He’s just using you to get back at me for ditching him after his wreck” 

Naomi just listened quietly, and then she spoke up, her tone steady. “If Mr. Fischer gave a hoot about you, why would he have you groveling at his gate! Why would he shoo you away the second you got clour! If you really wanted a normal life and leli Mr. Fischer, you should’ve stayed gone 

Chapter 24 

instead of popping up to remind him of your existence. And if you think Mr. Fischer kissed me out of spite for you, you’re wrong because you don’t ever make the cut for that kind of effort 

Naomi didn’t mince words. “In this world, some people can’t imagine life without Mr. Fischer, but let me tell you, there’s nobody he needs. He’s a god to me. 

Cheryl stumbled over Naomi’s comeback, her sobs stopping cold. “But his face… and his legs… 

Naomi’s smile was faint. “Who cares about looks? Even rolling on those wheels, Mr. Fischer’s out of your league. He’s in a class of his own. And hold a grudge against you? Please, you aren’t worth the time” 

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