Chapter 3

I stood rooted to the spot, my eyes wide with shock as Kinley callously mixed both urns of my parents’ ashes into a bowl of dog food. My nails dug painfully into my palms, my entire body shaking uncontrollably, a desperate cry tearing from my throat.

A sleek Doberman wagged its tail eagerly, inching closer to the bowl. Its bright red tongue lapped up the food mingled with ashes, making loud, satisfied gulping sounds.

'No—!'

I lunged forward, only to be yanked back by Desmond. My knees slammed into the cold tile floor, but the sharp physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional agony ripping through me. My parents had died tragically just last week, and now I couldn't even protect their remains.

I bit down hard on my lower lip, the metallic taste of blood flooding my mouth.

'Violette, don't be so dramatic.'

Kinley tilted her head, twirling a lock of hair around her finger, her voice sickly sweet and dripping with smugness.

'I'll have someone package up the waste for you once the dog has digested it. I mean, whether it ends up in its stomach or in a cemetery, is there really any difference?'

She chuckled, her eyes gleaming with challenge, a smirk playing on her lips that sent a sharp throb through my temples.

Seizing the moment when Desmond's grip loosened, I broke free and launched myself at Kinley on the bed. I grabbed her slender wrist and yanked her toward the edge.

'Even if it’s the last thing I do today, I’ll take you down with me!'

The words barely escaped my lips before I used every ounce of strength to shove her down the stairs. Her shrill scream sliced through the air as she tumbled down, like a puppet with its strings cut.

A shadow darted across, and Maddox rushed forward, catching Kinley just in time. She curled up in his arms, her face pale, tears streaming down her cheeks.

'Maddox, I'm so scared... What about the baby...?'

Maddox's expression turned icy, and he slapped me hard across the face.

'Violette! Have you lost your mind? A fall like that could hurt Kinley or the baby. How can you be so cruel?'

Bodyguards swarmed in, pinning me to the ground. Kinley gasped for breath between sobs, before suddenly rolling her eyes and fainting.

Maddox looked ominous as he carried her back to the bedroom, barking orders for someone to call the doctor immediately.

When he reappeared before me, he held one of the empty urns. A wave of dread washed over me as I struggled desperately, but the guards held me firmly in place.

Maddox poured half a bottle of water into the urn. He gripped my jaw, his gaze cold and unyielding:

'You brought this on yourself.'

The cold liquid forced its way down my throat, the revolting taste filling my mouth. I retched violently, my sanity unraveling. I screamed and cried, completely losing control.

Maddox looked down at me with disdain.

'This is the price for defying me.'

'I thought about leaving you some dignity, but now it seems pointless.'