Blood trickled down my face as I knelt before Lily''s grave, my designer clothes torn to shreds from Olivia''sshing. The pain was excruciating, but I refused to show weakness.


    "I would never harm a pup,” I dered, widening my eyes with practiced innocence. "Where is


    your proof of these wild usations?"


    Matriarch Evelyn''s withered face contorted with rage. "You dare ask for proof


    when you stand at the grave you desecrated?"


    I met her gaze steadily. "I loved Lily as if she were my own."


    The lie tasted sweet on my tongue. In truth, I had celebrated when that sickly child finally died,


    removing thest obstacle between Ethan and me.


    "You redirected her kidney donor," Olivia spat, her emerald eyes burning with hatred. "You


    made sure Emma got the treatment meant for Lily!"


    I allowed my voice to tremble with feigned outrage. "How could you suggest such a thing? I


    would never-"


    "Enough!" Matriarch Evelyn raised her walking stick, her frail body vibrating with fury.


    She swung the stick toward my face with surprising strength for someone her age. Ethan


    moved quickly, catching her arm before the blow couldnd.


    "Grandmother, please," he urged, positioning himself between us.


    His intervention inadvertently pushed me closer to Olivia. I saw the opportunity and took it,


    allowing my lips to curl into a subtle smirk only Olivia could see.


    "Your daughter was weak," I whispered, my voice too low for Ethan to hear. "She deserved to


    die."


    Olivia''s control snapped. With a primal scream, she lunged forward, her foot connecting with


    my chest in a powerful kick. The force sent me tumbling backward down the cemetery''s stone


    steps.


    I felt myself falling, the world spinning around me. Then came the impact-a sickening thud


    as my body hit the ground. Sharp pain exploded across my face as Inded on a broken


    < Chapter 106: A Death and a D...


    moonstone vase, its jagged edge slicing deep into my cheek.


    +15 Points >


    Warm blood gushed from the wound, soaking into the earth beneath me. Through the haze of


    pain, I heard Ethan''s panicked voice.


    "Victoria!"


    His strong arms gathered me up, cradling me against his chest. I allowed myself to go limp,


    ying up my injuries.