Chapter 3
I forced myself to the banquet hall, fevered and swaying with every step-just in time to see Damien fastening a diamond necklace around Amber’s neck.
The look in his eyes… I’d never seen it before.
Soft. Tender.
“Amber,” he said gently, “meeting you is the luckiest thing that’s ever happened to me.”
My heart clenched.
Then Amber spotted me. Her voice rang out, deliberately loud.
“Sister Elena! Today’s my birthday, and that necklace you’re wearing-how special! Give it to me as a gift, okay?”
I stiffened.
The wooden necklace around my neck was the last thing my sister ever made for me. Her final gift.
“Give it to her.” Damien didn’t even look up from his wine.
I bit back the pain, forcing a hollow smile. I unclasped the necklace, placed it into Amber’s hand then reached into my bag and pulled out the divorce agreement.
Without a word, Damien signed it.
“Fine,” he said coldly. “Go find Assistant Miller. He’ll arrange a new medical team for you.”
Then he turned to Amber and pulled her into his arms.
Just as I was about to leave, Amber grabbed my wrist. Her expression shifted to mock concern.
“Oh no, Sister Elena, your hand is burning up. Let me get you some antipyretics.”
She gripped me tighter. I tried to pull away, but I was too weak.
Then she leaned in close and whispered, her voice dripping with poison.
“By the way… what do you think Bruno would like for a treat today?”
Before I could react, she pulled a small porcelain jár from her coat pocket-the one I knew too well.
My sister’s ashes.
“Give it back!” My voice cracked as I lunged toward her.
But she let go on purpose.
The jar hit the ground with a sharp crack, shattering.
The ashes scattered across the floor.
Bruno came bounding over, tail wagging. He sniffed the mess-and began to lick.
“No!” I screamed, falling to my knees. “Stop! Please!”
Amber stood above me, smiling as if she were watching a performance.
“Mr. Sinclair only has me in his heart,” she said sweetly. “Why do you keep embarrassing yourself?”
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Then she tossed the wooden necklace into a nearby trash bin.
“You and your short-lived sister? You both deserved it.”
“Shut up!” I slapped her across the face. “Don’t you dare talk about my sister!”
She held her cheek, then smirked.
“Why not? She’s dead. Isn’t it fitting her ashes fed a dog?”
I raised my hand again-but it never landed.
Damien caught my wrist midair. His face was a mask of fury.
“Elena,” he said darkly, “are you looking for death?”
Amber immediately turned on the waterworks.
“She called me a country girl. Said I was no better than a chicken. Said I didn’t deserve to stay in the Sinclair family…”
At a glance from him, two bodyguards rushed forward and forced me to my
knees.
“Hit her,” he said coldly.
Amber hesitated for show.
“Isn’t that… a bit too much?”
But Damien took her hand himself and swung it hard across my face.
The slap rang out, sharp and final.
My skin stung, my mouth filled with the taste of blood. My face went numb on one side.
I lifted my head, dazed.
And I looked at the man I had loved for over a decade.
He wasn’t even looking at me.
He was gently cradling Amber’s hand, rubbing it like something precious.
“Did that hurt, sweetheart?” he asked softly.
That’s when I finally woke up.
To him, I wasn’t even worth the attention he gave a dog.
Damien looked at me again, frowning.
“I think I’ll take back the medical team-”
But before he could finish, I let out a bitter laugh.
Tears streamed down my burning cheeks.
“There’s no need,” I said hoarsely. “My sister died long ago. Her ashes are gone now, too.”
He stared at me, briefly speechless.
Then he turned away-cold, unmoved-his arm around Amber as they walked off together like nothing had happened.
I dragged myself back to the villa, every step heavier than the last.
I began packing what little I had.
Five years in this place, and nothing truly belonged to me.
Chapter 3
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