Matilda's POV
The hallway outside the staircase was quiet.
Too quiet.
Which made it perfect.
I leaned casually against the wall near the corner, pretending to scroll through my phone while my eyes stayed fixed on the staircase entrance.
Freya stood a few steps behind me.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" she whispered.
I didn't even look at her.
"Relax."
Freya crossed her arms.
"She just fainted earlier."
"And?"
Freya hesitated.
"She might still be weak."
I smiled slightly.
"Exactly."
Freya sighed.
"You're unbelievable."
"Thank you."
Footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Freya straightened slightly.
"Someone's coming."
I slowly looked up.
And there she was.
Jayjay Marino.
Walking down the hallway from the washroom.
Her steps were slower than usual.
One hand rested lightly against the wall as she moved.
Her hair was slightly messy, and her face looked pale.
But she was still walking like she refused to look weak.
Typical Jay.
Freya leaned closer.
"She doesn't look okay."
"Good," I whispered.
Jay reached the staircase.
She placed one hand on the railing and started going down.
One step.
Two steps.
Three.
Freya whispered nervously,
"Matilda…"
I stepped forward quietly.
My heart was beating faster now.
Not from fear.
From excitement.
Finally.
Finally I could wipe that confident look off her face.
Jay was halfway down the stairs now.
She didn't even notice me behind her.
Perfect.
I reached out suddenly and grabbed the back of her collar.
My hand tightening just enough around her neck to choke her balance.
Jay gasped.
"What the—?!"
Then I pushed.
Hard.
Her foot slipped.
And suddenly—
She fell.
Her body tumbled down the stairs.
"AH—!"
Her scream echoed through the stairwell as she crashed against the steps.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Then she hit the bottom.
Hard.
For a moment everything went silent.
Jay lay on the floor, clutching her side.
A sharp cry escaped her lips.
"Ah—!"
My lips slowly curled into a smile.
Freya stared in shock.
"Matilda!"
But I couldn't stop smiling.
Finally.
For once…
Jayjay Marino looked completely helpless.
Jay tried to sit up but winced immediately.
Her hand moved to her ankle.
"Damn it…" she muttered through clenched teeth.
Freya grabbed my arm.
"You pushed her too hard!"
"She'll live."
Freya looked down the stairs nervously.
"What if someone saw—"
Footsteps suddenly echoed from the hallway.
Freya's eyes widened.
"Someone's coming!"
I quickly stepped back toward the wall.
The stairwell door opened.
And the person who walked in made my smile disappear instantly.
"Jay?!"
Matteo.
My brother rushed down the stairs immediately.
"What happened?!"
Jay was still sitting on the floor, breathing unevenly.
"I… slipped…" she said quietly.
Matteo knelt beside her.
"Can you stand?"
Jay tried.
The moment she put weight on her knee—
"Ah—!"
She grabbed his arm.
Matteo frowned.
"Okay, no. Don't move."
Freya whispered beside me,
"He's going to take her to the clinic…"
I clenched my fists.
Of course he was.
Matteo carefully helped Jay stand, letting her lean against him.
"Come on," he said gently.
"I'll take you to the clinic."
Jay sighed softly.
"This day just keeps getting better."
Matteo chuckled lightly.
"You sure you didn't fall on purpose?"
Jay rolled her eyes weakly.
"Very funny."
They slowly walked toward the hallway together.
Jay's arm rested around his shoulder for support.
I watched them disappear down the corridor.
My nails dug into my palms.
Freya glanced at me carefully.
"…Your brother just ruined everything."
I exhaled sharply.
"Of course he did."
Freya sighed.
"What now?"
I stared down the stairs where Jay had fallen moments ago.
My jaw tightened.
"This isn't over."
Freya raised an eyebrow.
"You're still going after her?"
I looked up slowly.
"Next time…"
My voice dropped to a cold whisper.
"I'll make sure there's no one around to save her."
Freya shook her head.
"You're terrifying."
I smirked.
"Thank you."
But inside…
I was furious.
Because the one person who ruined my perfect moment…
Was my own brother.
End of Chapter 42 📖🔥