Chapter 2
Stepping out of the café, I saw the rain had stopped.
Sunlight broke through the clouds, casting a shimmering glow on the puddles.
I took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp freshness of the rain-washed air and something more. Freedom.
From today onward, I would start over as Winona Sanders, and those who hurt Quiana would one day pay dearly for what they had done.
Three months later, I sat in the law firm, listening as the lawyer read Quiana's will. "According to the will of the late Ms. Quiana Whites, all her assets are bequeathed to charity organizations, including a jewelry collection valued at 27 million dollars and three downtown properties..."
The lawyer's voice echoed through the conference room, while across the table, the White family members' faces darkened with every word.
I sat in the corner wearing sunglasses, attending as the charity's representative. No one realized that I, Winona Sanders, was, in fact, the very "ungrateful daughter" that they had been criticizing.
"No way!" My mom, Myla Sink, shot to her feet. "Quiana would never do this. She loves the most."
The lawyer adjusted his glasses and calmly stated, "This will was personally signed by Ms. Quiana Whites herself, bearing her authentic signature and fingerprint. It is fully legally binding."
"Someone must have threatened her." My dad Ferdinand Whites slammed his fist on the table. "I'll sue. I'll take this to court!"
I sneered inwardly as I watched him panic. They were indifferent when I was begging them in tears not to marry me off to Colton.
"Mr. Whites." I removed my sunglasses, speaking in a deep, unfamiliar voice. "Please calm down. The deceased deserves respect, and your actions are disrespectful to her memory."
"Who are you?" Ferdinand eyed me with suspicion.
"I'm Winona Sanders, representing the charity foundation." I rose gracefully and extended my hand. "Though I wish we could have met under better circumstances."
Ferdinand didn't shake my hand. Instead, he stared at me intently and said, "You remind me of someone."
"Oh?" I smiled lightly. "I get that a lot. Guess I have one of those faces."
Just then, the conference room door swung open.
Colton walked in, still as striking as ever, though deep exhaustion clouded his eyes. Trailing behind him was Regina, who was dressed in white as if in mourning.
Colton's voice was hoarse. It was as if he hadn't slept in days. "Sorry I'm late," he said, his exhaustion obvious.
His gaze swept across everyone present before finally settling on me.
We locked eyes, and I noticed his pupils constrict ever so slightly.
"Who is this?" Colton asked the lawyer.
"Ms. Winona Sanders, representing the charity foundation," the lawyer said.
Colton gave a perfunctory nod in greeting, yet his gaze kept drifting back to me.
Regina clung to his arm as they sat down, putting on a show of concern. "Did Quiana not leave any other will? Something for Colton, perhaps?"
Hearing Regina call me that intimately, I nearly lost my composure.
She had no right to call my name this affectionately.
"No," the lawyer replied curtly. "This is the only will Ms. Quiana Whites left."
Regina put on an exaggerated look of surprise. "How could this be? Quiana loved Colton so much, yet she left him nothing?"
Hah. This woman was still putting on an act.
I couldn't help but speak up. "Perhaps she was disappointed."
All eyes snapped to me.
"What do you mean by that?" Myla demanded.
"I've heard Ms. Whites had... relationship troubles," I said, pausing deliberately and letting the implication hang. "Well, a woman with a broken heart is capable of anything."
Colton's face darkened instantly. He shot me a sharp look. "Hey. Watch what you say."
"I'm just stating the facts." I shrugged. "The tabloids suggest so."
"Enough!" Colton shot to his feet. "How dare you judge Quiana? You know nothing about her."
He was visibly agitated, his eyes bloodshot with rage and exhaustion.
Watching Colton lose his composure over me, I felt a peculiar sense of satisfaction welling up inside.
I finally saw him aching for me, but it was too late.