Chapter 2

Funny enough, I was the one who sent Emily to Michael in the first place.

She was a poor student whom my family sponsored. I brought her out of that isolated village, kept her close to me from middle school onward, and supported her all the way through college.

I even gave her a new name. She used to be called something else, but I changed it to Emily, letting her take my last name. All I ever wanted for her was to grow free.

After she graduated, I originally planned to send her abroad for further studies, but she turned me down. She held my hand, acting all sweet, saying she couldn't bear to leave her homeland.

Just because of that, I asked Michael to help her get a job at his company.

Everyone around me said I spoiled her way too much, like she was my real little sister.

But I never thought that the girl who was always acting cute would end up coming between me and my fiancé.

I grabbed her by the hair and dragged her up from the floor, ignoring the terror in her eyes as I slapped her again and again across that pretty face of hers.

"Emily, tell me. When did you start hooking up with Michael?" I asked.

I saw my own face reflected in her eyes, twisted and feral, like some kind of demon.

She struggled desperately, but there was no way she could break free from me, a 130-pound boxer.

I slapped her so hard that she couldn't even get a word out. Her face was swollen, and she cried her eyes out.

I could feel a dark satisfaction bubbling up inside me.

I'd always known there was something seriously wrong with me.

I'd tried to keep myself in check, but now I just couldn't hold it in any longer.

Her face was so swollen, and I finally slammed her to the ground.

Half her hair was torn out, her makeup smeared all over her face, but even like this, she still wouldn't stop making excuses.

"Rachel, I swear I didn't. Is this because someone at the office said something to you? They're just jealous of me. Don't believe them," Emily sobbed.

I scoffed twice and tapped her cheek, mocking her.

"Did you enjoy wearing my engagement dress, Sweetie?" I taunted.

I watched her face go from confused to terrified.

And then, her face finally settled into a malicious, triumphant grin.

"Rachel, since you already know, I guess it's time to lay it all out. Michael said you're old and washed-up, that you aren't good enough for him. Honestly, I'm glad you know now. Having to look at your hypocritical face every day makes me sick," Emily sneered.

That twisted streak of madness that I'd always tried to change in her was finally gone.

For the first time ever, I started to reflect on myself.

Was it my fault for spoiling her too much? Did I make her think that just because Michael spoiled her, she could actually challenge me?

My hand fit perfectly around her neck—it was so delicate, I felt like I could snap it with barely any effort.

That was when Emily finally panicked, thrashing wildly, but it was useless.

She realized I really meant to kill her.

Her face drained of color, and her eyes were wide with terror.

"Please, Rachel. I'm sorry. It was Michael. He tempted me and said he'd been sick of you," Emily sobbed.

I watched her face shift, like she was putting on a show right in front of me.

No wonder she managed to fool me for ten years with her flawless acting.

She gradually stopped struggling, finally passing out from suffocation.

I slumped onto the couch, slowly calming down.

Emily's phone, which had fallen to the floor during our fight, suddenly started buzzing. I didn't want to bother with it at first, but out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the word "hubby" flashing on the screen.

"Emily, that old hag didn't give you any trouble, did she? If she tries to mess with you, I won't let her get away with it," Michael said.

"Well, aren't you just the hero, Mr. Grant?" I sneered.

Venting my anger really worked. When I heard Michael talking trash about me behind my back, my heart stayed perfectly calm—just pure disgust, nothing more.

"Why are you answering? Where's Emily? What did you do to her? If you've got a problem, take it out on me. Leave her alone," Michael said.

Honestly, it was hilarious. Anyone watching would probably pity these two doomed lovebirds.

Well, if that was what they wanted, I definitely wouldn't be the one to break them up.