Chapter 3
I stood frozen, staring in disbelief as Kinley mixed both urns of my parents’ ashes into a bowl of dog food. My fingernails dug deep into my palms, my body trembling uncontrollably, a cry of despair escaping my lips.
A sleek Doberman wagged its tail, inching closer to the bowl. Its vibrant red tongue lapped over the food mingled with ashes, producing satisfied swallowing noises.
“No—!”
I tried to lunge forward but was immediately pulled back by Desmond. My knees hit the tile floor hard, yet the sharp physical pain was dwarfed by the agony churning within me. My parents had died in a tragic accident just last week, and now I couldn't even protect their final resting place.
I bit down on my lower lip, the taste of blood filling my mouth.
“Violette, don't be so upset.”
Kinley tilted her head, twirling a lock of hair around her finger, her voice saccharine but 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 any difference?”
She chuckled, her eyes glinting with challenge, a smirk tugging at her lips, sending a sharp throb through my temples.
Seizing the moment when Desmond's grip loosened, I broke free and lunged at Kinley on the bed. Grabbing her slender wrist, I yanked her toward the edge.
“Even if it’s the last thing I do today, I’ll bring you down with me!”
The words barely left my mouth 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 severed strings.
A shadow darted across, and Maddox rushed forward, catching Kinley just in time. She curled up in Maddox's arms, her face pale, tears streaming down.
“Maddox, I'm so scared... What about the baby...?”
Maddox's expression turned icy, and he slapped me hard across the face.
“Violette! Are you out of your mind? A fall like that could harm Kinley or the baby. How can you be so heartless?”
Bodyguards crowded 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, ordering someone to urgently call the doctor.
When he reappeared before me, he held one of the empty urns. A wave of dread surged through me as I struggled desperately, but the guards kept me restrained.
Maddox poured half a bottle of water into the urn. He gripped my jaw, his gaze cold:
“You brought this on yourself.”
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.”