Chapter 3

I let out a cold laugh. "Pretty sharp, aren't you? Can't wait to pay your respects at Isabel's memorial, huh?"

Ronnie's brows knitted together, a flash of annoyance flickering in his eyes.

But he quickly lowered his gaze.

"The ten years aren't up yet. I'm still your bodyguard. It's only right I stick with you," he said.

He was probably afraid I wouldn't let it go and would keep chasing after the evidence.

I got in my car and drove off without a second glance.

Ronnie's car tailed me all the way to the Ochoa mansion.

As soon as I walked in, I heard those phony gentle voices coming from inside.

Just hearing Mabel Ochoa, Isabel's mother, made me sick to my stomach.

On the dining table sat a huge pink cake.

It was the same kind my dad used to buy for me when I was a kid.

I had barely glanced at it when I heard Mabel start quietly crying.

She said, "Isabel always loved pink.

"We celebrate her death anniversary like it's her birthday now. I wonder if she can see it, wherever she is."

My dad reached out and patted her shoulder.

He said, "Of course she can.

"Isabel was always so kind. Her soul will live on, I'm sure of it."

But when he looked up and saw me, his face went stiff, then quickly darkened with annoyance.

"Why did you come back?" he said.

When he noticed the scars on half my face, his expression twisted with even more disgust.

"What, you trying to play the victim now with that face?" he sneered.

He had no idea I'd nearly died in that fire.

He clearly didn't even remember it was my birthday today.

I glanced at Leila, who looked away, clearly feeling guilty.

Mabel choked back her tears. "I asked Kaylee to come back.

"Isabel always loved her sister the most when she was alive."

My dad suddenly shot to his feet, slamming his hand on the table.

"Sister? She doesn't even deserve to be called that," my dad spat.

I scoffed and walked right upstairs without a second glance.

My dad yelled after me, "Since you're back, light a candle for Isabel and beg for forgiveness."

I turned around, smirked at him, and said, "Dream on."

I kept going upstairs, but Ronnie didn't follow.

I heard him say, "I'll light a candle for Isabel in Kaylee's name."

Blood rushed to my head, and I hurled my car keys at him.

My voice shook with rage as I shouted, "If you want to pay your respects to that bitch, go ahead!

"Who the fuck do you think you are? You think you can just step in for me?"

This time, Ronnie jerked his head aside, and the keys hit the floor with a loud clatter.

For a split second, I saw his eyes turn frosty, cold as ice.

Mabel cried out, "Kaylee, it's one thing for you to yell at us, but Ronnie's been by your side for ten years.

"He might not have gotten much credit, but he's been through a lot for you.

"Why are you always so rough on him?"

She stepped up to comfort Ronnie. "Are you okay, Ronnie?"

For a moment, Ronnie's eyes softened. "I'm fine, Mabel. Let me light a candle for Isabel."

As I walked upstairs, my eyes welled up out of nowhere.

'The winter wind really is something else,' I thought. 'Even after being inside for so long, I still can't hold back the tears.'

Crying in front of others was the most embarrassing thing ever.

Good thing I turned my back so that no one could see me like this.

I went straight to my brother's room, keyed in the password, and reached for the doorknob.

But the moment my hand touched the handle, the door creaked open.

What used to be neat and tidy was now a total mess.

The bookshelf was tipped over, and the few books I hadn't taken were all torn to shreds.

The mattress was splattered with paint.

The handmade pot on the windowsill had been smashed to bits, mixed with dirt and broken pieces scattered everywhere.

My head buzzed so hard I stumbled, almost collapsing right there.

I rushed over, hands trembling as I tried desperately to fit the shards back together, but they'd never fit again.

Tears hit the dirt, and my heart twisted with pain.

I shouldn't have left in such a hurry that day. I should've taken all his things with me.

Shards of broken pottery dug into my palm, blood welling up and spilling out.

But I couldn't feel a thing—just guilt, regret, and then all that rage crashing in, threatening to drown me.

They were all dead.

My mom and my brother were both gone, but she still wouldn't leave them alone.

After my brother died, I was the only one who knew the password to his room.

Someone had smashed the lock open to get in.

There was no way it was a thief.

My fingers dug into my palm, trembling uncontrollably.

I snatched up a shard of broken pottery from the floor and rushed downstairs.

Downstairs, Ronnie was standing in front of Isabel's memorial.

Mabel stood beside him, dabbing at her tears.

I rushed over and jammed the shard of broken pottery right against Mabel's neck.

Mabel let out a startled scream, and only then did they finally notice me.

Ronnie shot to his feet, his face shifting from sorrow to wariness in an instant.

He said, "Kaylee, she's still your stepmother.

"If you're angry, come at me. Don't hurt her."

I pressed the shard against Mabel's neck and dragged her back two steps.

Then I shouted, "Don't come any closer!"

My dad looked utterly disgusted.

But worried his wife might get hurt, he put on a show of gentle helplessness.

He said, "K-Kaylee, is this about your brother's room?

"Calm down, okay? You don't know. Mabel and I were out of town a couple days ago, and someone broke into the house.

"It's just that..."

My vision was nothing but red, and I let out a bitter laugh. "A break-in, huh?

"The thief didn't touch your gold bars in the safe, didn't go near Mabel's jewelry—just broke into my brother's room?"

My dad let out a flustered sigh. "I know, it's strange to us too."

I pressed the shard of broken pottery even deeper against Mabel's neck, watching her face drain of all color.

I said, "No surprise there. You're a real pro at acting.

"Why don't you head straight to hell and keep putting on your little show with your daughter down there."