lia

ze, flickered with a brief, agonizing moment of clarity. He stared at me, his gaze a mixture of pain, confusion, and a daw

the blow, but by my utter repulsion, my cold, unwavering stare. He had expected anger, perhaps, but not this chilling indifference, this visceral

"Get dressed. We're going to the hospital." I didn't touch him. I didn't help him. I sim

d, my gaze fixed on the wall, refusing to meet his eyes. When the paramedics arrived, I explained the situation with clinical precision, omitting any perso

even Hildegarde called, all trying to get me to check in on him. I politely deflected every single call,

ity, I began to systematically sell off every single piece of expensive jewelry, every luxury gift Damian had ever given me. Each sale was a symbolic cutting of a cord, a severing of ties. The di

lways, a glittering display of wealth and power. Damian was there, impeccably dressed, a bandage discreetly hidde

had her own personal maid trailing behind her, carrying her dainty purse, a blatant flaunting of her newly elevated status. Whispers rippled through the old-money

but elegantly, a quiet specter amidst the opulence. I ble

tempt to present a united front, to mend the irreparable cracks in her family's facade. I stood there, rigid, my gaze fixed straight ahead, ref

ary resignation. She knew. She h

ng slightly as she handed me a thick envelope. Her voice was thick with emotion. "It's done, my dear. The divorce is final. These are yo

sey family ever faces ruin, if the company is ever truly in peril... will you conside

more capable than Damian gives you credit for. You are intelligent, resilient, kin

, bowing my head in a gesture of profound gratitude and respect. This woman, more than anyone

Take care of yourself. Please." I rose, clutching the envelope, and

ns, preparing to leave, a smug voice stop

faint moonlight. A small, exquisite jade bracelet, intricately carved. My mother's bracelet. The one Da

My jaw clenched s

up his life. He said it was your mother's. Oh, Jilly, my love, you should have seen his face when he gave it to me. He was so... eager to be rid of it. You know, he said he wis

urderous rage. I wanted to tear her apart, to rip that bracelet from her wrist, to sile

k in a calm, controlled voice. "Give it back, Aida," I said, my voi

amian gave it to me. Fi

edge. "Or I will release the recording of you confessing to framing Cris

enuine fear. Her confident smirk vanished. "You're lyin

ashing the screen, the voice

hands outstretched, desperate to

hard. She cried out in pain as the jade bracelet, the symbol of her cruel triumph, snapped. I snatched t

ieked, clutching her

bleeding wrist, then on me. "Jillian! What have you

oid of emotion. "Giving my mother's heirloom to your mistress? To the woman who murdered my b

ce a low, dangerous growl. "Next time we m

d away, my steps firm, my head held high