“No wonder you insist on proofing you have stomach cancer. Turns out you're just greedy and want to swindle our family's fortune!” Mom fumed, disappointment in her eyes.
“Who put you up to this? You’d better explain yourself, or don’t even think about coming back here!” Dad’s face turned ashen.
“What is wrong with you? We went out of our way to bring you back, gave you the title of DuPont heiress and you still aren’t satisfied? Now you’re conspiring with outsiders to hurt your own family. Shame on you!” Everett gritted his teeth, his rage palpable. He kicked me hard in the knee.
The sickening snap of my knee joint was enough to make me scream out in agony.
Erica, standing smugly off to the side, pretended to be the voice of reason. “Maybe Evangeline didn’t mean to. She’s young and probably doesn’t understand how the world works. If you throw her out, someone might take advantage of her.” Her words were like pouring gasoline on a fire, stoking the flames of fury.
“Take her upstairs and lock her in the attic. She’s not coming out until she explains herself.”
“No! Please! I don’t know anything! It’s not mine.” I begged them in desperation, clutching my injured legs as they dragged me. I remember the doctor said I only have one month to live and I beg harder.
“Please, please, don’t lock me in the attic! I'll die.”
