a

My mind, however, was sharper than ever, a steel trap processing every cruel word, every malicious act. They thought they

dge of my bed, a picture of false concern. "Ava, darling, how are you fe

s. Is Kimberli not keeping you entertained?" My voice was a dry

d. He cleared his throat. "That's no

and remarried your accomplice. You drained my blood for your twisted experiments. And you call this 'civil'?" My voice rose, gathering strength with

ir depths. He hadn't expected this. He had expected the

ded my gaze. "Ava, I asked you to come to the Bell D

ps. "By whom? Your new wife? Your shareholders?

For the company. For our image." He stressed "our," a cruel reminder of the shattered rea

ice firm. "And my presence at your little charade? You th

e there, Ava. It's for the best." He turned to leave, d

, you will regret this. Every single choice. Every single lie. You w

hout a word, the click of the

d a thick folder. "Mrs. Blevins," he began, his voice surprisingly gentle, "I've been instructed by your late f

er. Even in death, he pr

ur father left you everything else, of course." He pushed a document across the table. "This is a transf

over me, quickly followed by a pang of grief for my

wenty-five percent. A significant stake. Enough

emoved. I was free to leave the hospital. My fre

ywhere. Their "new life" was splashed across every social media platform. Kimberli posted a picture of herself, beaming, holding a

sured possession? She had no concept of true value. She was a h

d to erase me? I would disappear. Not because I was broken, but because I was rebuilding, brick b

was about reclaiming my life, my dignity, my father's memory. And I would do it with a cold, calculated precision that woul