za

"Aliza, don't be ridiculous," she stammered, her voice losing some of its sugary sweetness. "You always exaggerate. I just... needed a spare room." Sh

orld. I didn't leech off a dead man's trust or manipulate my way into a powerful family. I built my own empire, brick by bloody brick.

er voice barely audible, laced with pure hatred. "You're just jealous! Always have been! Everyone loves me! Etienne loves me! Y

. The sharp edge sliced across my arm, reopening the freshly stitched wound. A scream tore from my throat,

way. My mother's distraught voice, then my stepfather's booming command.

ury. "What in God's name is going on here, Aliza?" he

r, bursting into dramatic sobs, her face buried in her hands. "She attacked me!" she w

a look of pure loathing. "Aliza, how could you? Attacking your own sister? Are you out

ce trembling with pain and disbelief. "Look at my ar

lence, Aliza! Don't you dare accuse your sister! She

ng, settled on Kaylee, then on my bleeding arm. He then looked at a terrified maid who had witness

then back at Etienne. She mumbled, "Miss Kaylee... she... she was trying to defend

utter contempt, a chilling confirmation of his belief i

ng the shattered pieces of my heart. "You actually believe her?" I choked

father snarled, stepping towards

. I'm just laughing at the sheer, tragic comedy of it all. You're so blind! All o

ced by a burning need for justice. I lunged forward, grabbing Kaylee's arm, pulling her rou

eked, struggling, her feigned fragility

rage. "Tell them, Kaylee! Tell them the truth! Tell them how you orchestrated all of it! How y

en my furious face and Etienne's stony one. "No!

pull me off Kaylee. "Aliza! Let go of your sister! You're

His eyes were like chips of ice, his face a mask of primal fur

he tells the truth!" The pain in my arm was a dull throb, dis

into my flesh. "I said, let her go!" His

. "You can kill me, Etienne, but I won't let

ony shot through my wrist. He had twisted my arm, dislocating it. I

ollapsing, a fresh wave of sobs racking her body. He scooped her up, his gaze neve

inct for survival kicked in. As he turned to carry Kaylee away, I lashed out with my foot, a desperate, wild ki

lunging at me. Before he could reach me, my mother, her face contorted with a hat

ace twisted in fury. "How could you, Aliza?" she shrieked, her voice thick with tears. "She's

g compared to the crushing weight of her betrayal. My mother. This woman, who once held me, who once

ly daughter? Before she came along? Before you changed? Before you forgot me?" My eyes, swimming with tears, s

"Nothing but a constant disappointment." Her words were a final, brut