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Mona stumbled, nearly tumbling down the front steps.
She caught herself just in time, gripping the edge of a stone pillar to steady her balance.
Only then did Liza step in, grabbing Colton’s arm.
“Colton, she’s just upset we didn’t visit her in prison. She’s throwing a little tantrum. Don’t take it seriously.”
Then she turned to Mona, her voice soft and sweet, and reached out gently.
“Mona, it’s freezing outside. Come on in–everyone’s been waiting for you to join us for dinner.”
But after years of living under the same roof, Mona knew one thing for sure: whenever Liza played nice, something bad always followed.
So before her hand could touch her, Mona took a small step back.
And just like that, Liza let out a high–pitched scream–and tumbled dramatically down the steps.
“Ah! Mona, why did you push me?”
“Liza!” Colton shouted in panic, rushing down after her.
He scooped her into his arms like she was made of glass. “Are you okay? Talk to me!”
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Tears welled up in Liza’s eyes, her nose red from the cold, her whole demeanor pitiful and delicate.
“Colton, it hurts. my back, my arms. everything hurts.”
Then she looked tearfully up at Mona.
“Mona, I know I wronged you three years ago. If you want to hit me, yell at me–I won’t complain. I just hope you can let it go.”
Addie rushed over in a panic, taking off her coat and wrapping it around Liza.
She turned and snapped at Mona, “You wretched girl! If you’ve got a problem, take it out on me. Why are you bullying Liza?”
Mona laughed bitterly inside.
‘Ah, the mask finally came off. All that maternal affection earlier–what a performance. Must’ve taken a toll on her,‘ she thought. That’s fine. I will be taking it out on all of them.‘
As Addie turned to face her again, Mona locked eyes with her.
There was something in her gaze–something cold and deep, like a soul crawling back from hell. It sent a chill straight down Addie’s spine.
But that look in Mona’s eyes was gone in a flash–so quick it was easy to believe it had never been there at all.
Addie blinked, convincing herself she must’ve imagined it. She didn’t have time to argue. Instead, she turned to Colton and said urgently, “Colton, hurry and take Liza to the hospital. Her body’s so delicate–what if she’s seriously hurt?”
Colton scooped Liza into his arms, casting Mona a murderous glare. “Your
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better pray she’s okay. If anything happens to her, I swear I’ll break your legs.”
Addie didn’t hold back either. Her voice was sharp with blame. “Do you even realize? Liza baked that mango cake just for you to welcome you home. And you went and pushed her. With a heart that vicious, not wonder you ended up in prison.”
With that, the two of them rushed off, speeding toward the hospital.
Mona wandered into the dining room and spotted the giant mango cake on the table. A smirk tugged at her lips.
She was allergic to mangoes. ‘A cake made just for me? What a thoughtful murder attempt,‘ she thought.
She glanced at the rest of the table–covered with expensive dishes, beautifully plated, not a single one she liked.
But that was before prison. Now, after three years of surviving on cabbage soup with bugs floating in it, she wasn’t picky. This was a feast.
She picked up a fork and dug in without hesitation.
She’d only managed a few bites when a maid whispered, “Sir is back.”
Mona looked up. Her father Micah had come home.
Micah was dressed immaculately in a tailored designer suit, hair slicked back with not a strand out of place. He looked like the picture of class and refinement.
But the moment he saw her eating in the living room, his expression twisted into something ugly–his fury barely restrained.
“Mona, is this how you were raised? No greeting for your elders? You sit
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and eat before anyone else? No shame, no manners.”
Mona figured he didn’t know about Liza’s fall yet. If he had, he’d have walked in with a whip.
That had been his go–to punishment. Every time Liza framed her, he’d beat her senselessly, leaving her writhing on the ground.
She swallowed her food and stood up calmly. “Apologies. I spent three years eating cabbage soup with worms in it. Saw real food for once and got carried away. But since you’re here, want to join me?”
Micah looked like he was going to be sick.
“From now on, you’re not allowed to eat at the table. Go back to the basement. Eldon is coming to visit your sister later, and I don’t want you showing your face.”
Eldon. Her former fiance. Her high school sweetheart.
They’d fallen for each other as teenagers. It was real. Pure. Mutual..
Until she brought him home.
After that, he’d fallen head over heels for Liza, and never looked back.
