Chapter4
Mona begged for him. She’d threatened her own life. She’d begged outside his house for hours, in the freezing rain.
She’d thrown away her pride, her dignity–just for a sliver of affection.
And Eldon had never once looked her in the eye.
Now, everything she’d just eaten turned bitter in her mouth. Her throat burned, her stomach churned.
“Fine,” she said quietly.
Love that needs to be begged for is nothing but poison.
She’s Mona. She doesn’t need it!
Back in the basement, Natalie was already there, laying out clean sheets and tidying up.
Mona thanked her and lay down in bed, staring at the ceiling, mind racing.
She’d had three years inside to think–plenty of time to plan. And she had a plan. A thorough one.
She was going to take this entire family down, one by one.
But step one was Eldon.
He was the only son of the richest man in Ulby. With the Oconnor family behind her enemies, they were untouchable.
Chapter4
Until he fell.
If Eldon didn’t go down, she couldn’t move against Liza or the rest of them.
Her body was still trembling slightly–she’d been out in the snow too long. Even wrapped in blankets, the chill hadn’t quite left her bones.
Mona hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in ages. The moment her head hit the pillow, she was out cold.
But it felt like she’d only just closed her eyes when a knock sounded at the door.
“Who is it?” she asked, groggy.
“It’s me, Liza.”
“What do you want?” Mona sat up, leaning against the headboard, eyes fixed on the strip of hallway light under the door.
“I just want to talk. Can you open the door?”
“There’s nothing to talk about. Go away.”
“If you don’t open the door, I’ll stand here all night,” Liza said, voice soft but stubborn.
“Suit yourself,” Mona muttered and started to lie back down–when the door creaked open.
Liza walked in uninvited, dressed to impress in a flowing pink dress, sparkling jewelry catching the dim light.
“Look, Mona,” she said sweetly, twirling her wrist so her bracelets glinted. “These were gifts from Eldon. Aren’t they pretty?”
Chapterd
Mona sat up straighter, leaned against the headboard, and looked at her with a flat, unreadable expression. She said nothing.
But Liza kept talking, as if she didn’t need a reply. “It’s my birthday tomorrow. I’m throwing a party. Will you come?”
She placed a gift bag on the bed with a little flourish.
“There’s a dress inside–my favorite one. I want you to wear it tomorrow.”
Her favorite dress. That was the polite way to put it. Realistically, it was just a castoff.
“I’m not going. Take your things and leave,” Mona said, voice sharp with disinterest.
She’d learned her lesson the hard way. When she first arrived at the Morse family, she’d naively accepted one of Liza’s “gifts.” Next thing she knew, Liza was crying to their parents, claiming she’d stolen it.
The Morse family dragged her to the police station to be “taught a lesson.”
Even if she had to show up naked, she’d never wear anything Liza gave her again.
Tears welled up in Liza’s eyes instantly. “You’re still mad at me, aren’t you? I didn’t mean for any of it to happen. That night three years ago. I was confused, disoriented. I didn’t know what was going on. It wasn’t me, I swear. Please don’t hate me anymore.”
Mona gave her a thin smile–tight–lipped and cold.
Sure, maybe Liza hadn’t done the dirty work. But she’d stood by and watched it happen. That was enough.
Then came the real reason for this little visit.
50 251.
Chapter
“Eldon said he won’t marry me unless you forgive us. He says his conscience can’t take it.”
And there it was. The truth at last.
Liza wasn’t here to apologize–she was here to plead. Because her wedding. depended on it.
Mona’s tone was breezy, almost amused. “Alright. Bow and beg. Do that, and I’ll forgive you.”
Without hesitation, Liza bowed. “I’m sorry. Please, Mona, forgive me.”
Mona watched without flinching.
“Fine. You’re forgiven. Now get out.”
Forgive her? Not in this lifetime.
But Mona would let her believe it. Let her and Eldon get nice and comfortable–so she could tear it all down piece by piece.
