Third-Person POV

Jillian Kendricks knew when things were going too far.

She knew when to use exploitation for her advantage...and when to never use it when it involves a victim's deepest secret or a troubling moment from the past that one wanted to leave buried.

And in the case of Demario being a love child, she knew that this tidbit of news was not meant to be shared with the public at all costs. So when she learned that the foreboding news was being broadcasted over social media and throughout the internet, she had two things in mind: Demario was going to be out of school for a good while to lie low...and that her blasted Goth-dressed, suicide-happy, and blood-thirsty godbrother Theo Blake was to blame, him being received this tidbit of news by none other than Ms. Daphne McNeese, who was told of this by Ryan "Tainted-Golden-Boy" Peavey in a urgent message to keep this to herself.

And so, she was currently en-route to the Blake residence with her parents, grandmother Endora and her older sister Candace as her entourage- all of them as livid as the teenager was. "This is a nightmare," Endora said in disdain as the limo pulled onto Mealer Avenue. "Poor Demario, the dear must be in hiding after all of this."

"He had to be taken out of school, according to some of the cheerleaders," Jillian replied, a frown marring her perfectly made-up face. "This is awful. I may have been a real bitch towards Demario and had Theo on this campaign to ruin him, but I never expected to pull off something like this! That bastard's going to pay for this."

"And don't forget about Ryan," her father reminded. "Mr. Peavey told me that his son is now grounded for life and is off the football team after being suspended for a month."

"Good," his wife hummed, nodding her head. "He had no right to tell Demario's secret to that teacher and let her open her mouth to that Theo boy. She should be fired for what she did."

"She did get fired," Jillian commented. "She always had this inkling that Ryan and Demario belonged together and thought I was too promiscuous and reckless for Ryan's own good. But even I think that this has gone far enough. I need to set the record straight and beg for Demario's forgiveness after this."

"And you will, young lady," Endora commented as the limo headed towards Andrews Lane Subdivision where Theo lived. "Just remember that you're still far from grace and still have a lot to make up for."

"I know. If I knew then what I know now what Ryan is capable of, then this shouldn't be happening. I should've just let things be and let Ryan go with a clear consicence." Jillian faced the window, looking at the various ranch houses that had their individual charms. "And now Demario is facing one nightmare after another."

The limo soon slowed to a stop at the Blake residence, a two-story ranchette with a manicured lawn and a large backyard pool. The family began to pile out, Jillian frowning at Ryan's SUV that was parked in the driveway. "Why the hell is Ryan here?" she asked.

"Maybe his dad and Mr. Blake are laying down the law with their sons," Mr. Kendricks suggested, though the frown on his face said otherwise.

Jillian soon felt a sick feeling in her stomach alongside a quiet fury that raged in the bloodstream as she hastily stormed up the walkway and ignored her parents and grandmother's protest before slamming the door open...

And letting out of scream of fury upon seeing both Ryan and Theo down to their boxer briefs and making out with each other before they broke apart with matching smirks on their faces.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Mr. Kendricks boomed in anger as he, his wife, and mother joined a now-furious Jillian at her side.

"Surprise, Mr. K.," Theo said devilishly, giving Ryan a peck on the lips. "I guess you can say that Ryan and I found our way back to each other. And all thanks to Demario rebuffing Ryan and Jillian not giving him the time of day."

"You!" Jillian seethed, not caring that her mascara was being ruined by her tears. "You two exposed Demario being a love child! And you're sleeping with each other?! What the hell?!"

Ryan just grinned before slipping a form-fitting T-shirt over his head. "Come on, Jillian," he sassed. "Theo and I came to an understanding that he and I deserve one another and Demario kept blowing me off, so...consider this a favor to you and a lesson for Demario to remember that no one says 'no' to me. And don't say that you're not in favor for this since you wanted me all for yourself and would do anything to keep it that way."

Jillian fought back a sob before storming over, swinging her open palm, and slapping Ryan so hard that his face rocked. She did the same to Theo before landing a right hook to his jaw. "Listen well, both of you," she growled. "Stay the fuck away from Demario Bader if you don't want me to ruin your lives! I don't care that you two fuck each other senseless, but neither of you deserve anyone's time of day- not Demario's, not mine, not even Artem Hillman's or Oliver Slade's! From where I stand, you two planned this from the start long before I got entangled into this mess! You humiliated me, Artem, and Demario for the last time and it ends now! If I get even one whiff that you're up to no good and plan on making things worse, I'll have your lives wrecked to the point that you wished you were dead! Remember my threat if you even get the wee-bitty urge to defy me!"

She backhanded both young men, who looked nonplussed after her threat as they watched her and her family turn to walk away. "Demario's road to ruin won't be over until I say so, Jilly," Theo hollered after her. "Ryan and I have big plans for him, one of them being at the homecoming game."

"Not if I can help it," Jillian yelled back as she and her family headed outside and retreated to the limo just as Mr. Blake and his future husband, a retail salesman, came back in their truck. "What's going on?" the former asked confusedly, noticing Jillian's tearful face.

"Ryan and Theo are sleeping with each other," was all the teenager could say before getting into the limo and slamming the door. "Driver, get me out of here! Just get me far away from this place right now!"

She let out a blood-curdling scream before collapsing in tears, crying for not only her ruined status, but those regarding Artem Hillman and Demario Bader- all of them betrayed and used. And as she sobbed, her mind was already thinking of ways of getting retribution for her and the boys while making sure that Ryan and Theo would never dare show their faces in public for as long as they lived. "Driver!" she bellowed. "Take me to the Lomax residence at once!

Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned.

I bet y'all didn't see this coming at all, did you? Ryan and Theo?! Hot damn! Jillian, Artem, and Demario share one thing in common- being used and rejected by these boys. And Miss Kendricks is ready to seek vengeance!

And in the next chapter, this bombshell will be dropped on Demario and Oliver as they come down from a sensual high and another trip down memory lane featuring the Ryan/Jillian/Artem backstory continues with an unexpected surprise! Folks, the tea is ready to be spilled all around! You better stick around because this story right here...wow!

Song: "Misery Business" by Paramore.

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