/1/116602/coverbig.jpg?v=a0d97c69f24b2de965952c5d4c058c7a&imageMogr2/format/webp)
The stiff edge of the paper sliced across her index finger. A
r stomach knotted. It felt like a bad omen. She pressed her thu
ttered the quiet of her cheap Manhattan apartment. The caller ID fl
harp. She demanded Chloe return to the Long Island estate immediately. The tone
y, mocking laugh. She casually mentioned the overdue medical bills for grandmother Martha
. The early winter wind of New York whipped down the street, biting int
inst her, making her sway on her feet. Her chest felt tight. The fear of wha
platforms. The digital board flashed that she had just missed the train. Frustra
g iron gates of the White estate. The ornate metalwork looked like the ba
crystal chandelier stung her eyes. She froze. Sarah and Fiona sat
ed it back down. The slap of the paper echoed in the vast, empty livi
ed that Chloe was going to marry the eldest son of the Sterling
nged marriage. Her throat cracked from the force of her
acrylic nail hard into Chloe's shoulder. She spat out the truth, revealin
wn on Chloe. Her brain went completely blank. H
in the armchair. She needed him to deny it. Council just looked away and took
n the coffee table and ripped it in half. The sharp sound of tearing
connected with Chloe's cheek. The loud smack rang out. A burning
The video showed grandmother Martha lying in a sterile hospital bed, her chest ri
ry the comatose Sterling heir, she would pull the plug on Martha's
palms that the skin broke. Warm blood pooled in her hands. Hot te
ut of the shadows and clamped their hands down on her shoulder
spered that Chloe was just used goods that nobody wanted. The
allic taste of blood in her mouth. Her chest he heave. Slowly, the
voice was a ragged, broken whisper. The only a
he glass table. She placed a heavy Montblanc penvision blurred with fresh tears. Every b
out. Her fingers trembled as they closed around theressed so hard the pen tore through the thick paper, leavin
ards to lock Chloe in the guest room until the wedding tomorrow. The h
/1/116602/coverbig.jpg?v=a0d97c69f24b2de965952c5d4c058c7a&imageMogr2/format/webp)