l's

ing me back to reality. My eyes flickered open and lande

like a second skin. Her lips curved in a col

office. I don't have money for your burial," she

The woman who couldn't speak a word back then now her voice was sharp, clear, and cut

bank loan I had taken was fifty million dollars. Fifty million. My entire life,

into divorcing her, convincing me she was nothing. And Samantha my fiancée, th

ice pulle

front of everyone?" Her tone sliced like a blade, her eyes f

nging to every word. "My sister said you're going to

once knew was gone. She was a stranger now, a queen on he

e Dami. It's Miss wint

he air, a reminder that she had shed he

nodded. "Miss Winter, m

th cruel amusement. "Settle? Do

od. My stomach twisted at the humili

ghtly, her voice smoot

You'll open doors for me, run errands, and stand by when

ss her lips as she watched

e, who once had it all. Now she wanted me to parade as her servant? My

now how that will look? What do you want them to think

ave you thrown out this instant. This company is mine now, and I'

dy been shattered, this was just another blow. With clenched

with cruel satisfaction. "Report

ssed me with a wave of her hand. Grabbing my phone, I for

d shock. Maya, the receptionist, gave me a look that twisted

s heavy with humiliation. My mother and

ther's voice thundered, rage

upon us! You pushed me to divorce her. You and Saman

ell you to take a loan? Did I tell yo

estroyed everything. Do you know how much you spend on shopping every week? Do you reali

but edged with fear. "Arguing won't fix thi

re is no step. She owns everything now.

drained of color. Alexa

ly. "Until I find a way to rebuild

m whispered, horror lacing he

s. Without her, strangers would own al

This wasn't salvation

. She said she would," Alexa

memories of the woman I had once held close gnawing at me. If I had k

etermination hardening her voice. "You have to make

. Was it survival I wanted or did

on me. Perhaps Alexa was right. Perhaps the onl