rey

visited. Not once. My phone, once filled with his mes

with gifts. She sent photos, glittering and obnoxious. Then, the truly sickening blows. Videos. Clips of her and Ethan, intimate, laughing, ut

lanning something big. He' s getting your family to invest in

eless about finance. If she was involved in a major investment, it was a tr

' t picking up. I called my mother instead. "Mom,

portunity. Your father has already transferred the funds. Ethan is such a genius. He said it would solidify your

compared to the Blakes, but it was hard-earned, built on integrity. They had poured everything into my future, into my stabilit

would not let Etha

rom the hospital. Leaning heavily on crutches, my

" I told the receptionist,

e, but Mr. Blake is very busy. And he left specific instructions tha

lash of my old fire returning.

ture. Her words are now part of our company's

ower already? Panic set in. I tried calling Ethan, his assi

ather' s money, my family' s future, wa

ed. Ethan and Kendall emerged, side by side, radiating power and t

here? I thought you were still in the hospital." His tone was devoid

face. He saw me, and his smile faltered. "Audrey! My darling, why are you so

n't tell him. Not now. Not when he was

ease. Don't let Kendall handle this project. Our family will be ruined. Pl

she needs this experience more than your family needs a few extra pennies. She' s learning, growing.

uch." She then leaned in close to me, her voice a low, vicious whisper. "Your family

n was going to destroy everything. I couldn't take it anymore.

ed, pulling wi

bled, losing our balance. The railing of the mezzan

mbled over

e. For Kendall. He grabbed her arm, pulling her back to safety. Hi

se her

right leg, already broken, twisted at an unnatural angl