AN BE

was so profound it transcended tears, leaving behind a cold, desolate calm. My son, the reaso

I just needed to lie down, to escape the suffocating reality of my life. My mind, howeve

, a smug smile playing on her lips, her eyes glittering with malicious triumph. "Sle

d, my voice flat, devoid of emotio

ng on you. Cristian' s worried, you know. He really cares about his reputation. He said you were tr

have two women orbiting him, one for show and one for pleasure?" I watched her, a strange sense of detachment washing ove

e me. He sees me as his mother now." Her eyes narrowed. "And Cristian? He always wanted me. You were just... convenient." She took ano

t out," I said, my voice barely audible. "Just leave me alone."

small, ornate letter opener. And then, in a swift, sickening motion, she dragged it across her own forearm.

ared, dumbfounded, at h

out a piercing scream. "Jillian! What are you doi

he hallway. "Kallie!" Cr

to the floor, clutching her bleeding arm, her eyes fixed on me with a look of terrified accusation. "She... she

he blood, and his mind immediately filled in the blanks. His eyes, usually

ward, my head hitting the wall with a sickening thud. Pain exploded behind my eyes, a kaleid

ran to Kallie, his arms wrapping around her protectively. "She's hurt, Dad!

ache in my heart. I looked up at Kasen, his face twisted with hatred, an

om!" His words, sharp and deliberate, were designed to inflict maximum pain. "You're fat. You're ugly. Kallie is pretty and s

You're a monster, Jillian." He looked at me w

t all coalesced into a profound, chilling clarity. They were right. I was done. Done with this farce, done with this famil

warm trickle of blood running from my nose. "Fine," I raspe

ready. And when I am, you'll regret every single moment you spent under my roof." He grabbed Kallie's arm, pulling her up. "Come on, Kallie. L

tively went to my lower abdomen, tracing the faint scar. The life t