“Chloe, you pissed you lost to me?” Ophelia sneered. “Know how long I’ve been plotting this? Years of bullshit I’ve taken–you wouldn’t get it. Julian spoiled you rotten–no beating, no struggle. Me? I’ve been through hell…”
“So your crappy marriage and ex beating you is my fault?” I shot back.
“You’re only tough ‘cause Julian bankrolls you. Never lived on the streets, raised a kid alone. But your luck’s up.” She leaned in. “FYI, Lily’s leg was never broken. She and Liam played you so you’d leave. Julian posed as the hit–and–run driver–wanted you dead, but you lucked out. Just glass in the eyes, that’s all.”
“Lily’s five, and she already hated you. Forcing broccoli, no burgers–you drove her to lie. Julian’s always loved me, college to now. You blocked me from moving in, so he sent bums to wreck you. Look at you–blind, broken. Even Julian’ll think you’re trash.”
“You-!” The rest was a blur of shouting and scuffling until her voice cut off.
Julian’s face turned from grief to rage. “That bitch did this! She’s the reason Chloe left me!”
Lily frowned: “Aunt Ophelia hit Mom? I thought Mom was the mean one. She’s a total bad egg, right Dad?”
“Damn right!” Julian roared. “Get her here now!”
When Ophelia walked in, she clocked the tense vibe. “What’s up, Julian? Don’t yell at Lily–Chloe jumped ‘cause her side piece dumped her, not ‘cause of us.”
“You knew!” Julian snarled. “Listen to this.” He played the recording.
Ophelia went pale. “That bitch recorded me? When-” She caught herself. “Julian, no, this’s fake–voice- edited!”
“Still lying?” He backhanded her. “You drove Chloe to jump! You killed her!”
Julian, I did it ‘cause I love you! I never wanted her dead–just wanted us to be a family. Don’t kick me out; I got nothing without you!”
He kicked her in the gut. “Not my problem. Is Liam even my kid? Go find his real dad.”
Wait-” Ophelia clutched her stomach, blood seeping down her legs. “I’m pregnant… with your baby. Julian, it’s hurting-”
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