ie

nded by the stunned silence of the remaining shoppers and the flashing cameras of the paparazzi. The air still hummed with the aftershocks

the Fletchers, were a name whispered with reverence in certain circles, a name synonymous with power, wealth, and an almost suffocating sense of tradition. Their wealt

, had saved him during that ordeal. She had arrived at the scene, breathless and tearful, just as the police rescued him, clutching his hand and weaving a tale of heroism that everyone, especia

arter resented me for it. He saw me as a duty, a compromise, never the true object of his affection. I, on the other hand, had loved him with a fierce, unwavering devotion for

m properly. Alivia, consumed by her jealousy and obsession with Carter, had sabotaged the neonatal resuscitation equipment, ensuring our son suffocated. She claimed he was "born dead," a tragic consequence of my

sanity, my motherhood, my very identity. The world outside believed I was a drug-addled heiress, unstable and dangerous. The Roberson family, my own blood, had

vive, to strategize. I found an unlikely ally in Jonas Carrillo, a ruthless venture capitalist committed for his own reasons. He saw the fire in my eyes, the injustice in my st

rk wasn' t a whim.

already there, a silent sentinel waiting in the sleek black car. He didn' t ask about the b

ed the driver. "I have unfini

ured lawns, past hedgerows that seemed to whisper old secrets. The house itself, a grand, imposing structure, stood s

Doberman, "Duke," Alivia' s prized show dog, a creature of sleek muscle and sharp t

a shrill voice.

hesitation. I moved, a swift, practiced sidestep, turning my body just enough to avoid the full impact of his lunge. His teeth still grazed my

ing forward, not to me, but to the dog. She knelt, cradling its h

ar. They surrounded Alivia and the dog, their eyes flicking to my bleeding arm, then back to Alivia' s tear-str

m, flat. The blood welled, a dark stain

him, Kylie! You always provoke everything!" She stroked the dog's head, glaring

d Kylie, the unstable one, the one who supposedly imagined

. Their concern was solely for Alivia' s "poor Duke." The inj

ool from my days in isolation, a small, blunt piece of metal I' d sharpened against the concrete floor. It was meant for protection,

with a speed born of desperation and calculated intent. The blunt metal found its mark, deep behind his ear, severing a critical ner

olute, terri

dog, then on me. The color drained from her face, leaving it ashen. "Duke?"

he pristine grass. "He was attacking me," I repeated, my voice steady, unyielding. My eyes swept over the shocked faces of the st

ice cracking with fury and genuine grief for her pet. "You

elt nothing but a quiet satisfaction. This was the real A

y stood frozen, staring at the dead Doberman, then at me. Their faces

hought. They haven'

t, insistent pain. I walked towards the house, towards the sprawling mansion that had onc

sleeve, revealing the deep, jagged wound. It would scar. Another reminder. I cleaned it meticulously, pouring antiseptic over the ra

tal, questions, and more delays. I couldn't risk it. Not now. Not when the game had

is door! Carter is here! He's furious!" It was Alivia, her voice a mixture

here. Now. And he would see his "savior" in tears, lamenting her dead dog, while the "madwoman" sto

s damn door!" Carter's voice, thick with rage, t

y dress, and then, with a slow, deli

arm, her face blotchy from crying, her eyes red, but a triumphant glint shone through her tears.

Duke! My poor, innocent Duke!" Alivia

arm, finally landing on my impassive face. "What did you do, Kylie?" His voice was a low growl, ba

hadowed by Alivia's manufactured suffering. He once bought me a pearl necklace, a gesture of peace after one of our quiet arguments. I cherished it. Until Alivia claimed it gave her an allergic rea

ed, my voice as calm as a

! You always did, when you were here before, always lurking, making him nervous!" He looked at Aliv

"It is, Carter. She's just so crue

ng for his approval, his love. I remembered how I once wished for him to see Alivia for who she truly was, to see me. But that

r, "was always more profound than any love you ever showed me. Or our son."

y from Carter, her eyes blazing with malice. "You think yo

st Carter, past the stunned staff, past the lingering scent of blood and fear. Each step w

idn't stop. I walked out of the mansion, out of the life I h

, a burning pyre of painful memories.