My head buzzed, my thoughts spinning, but I didn’t respond. My silence only fueled Adrian’s anger. Without warning, he shoved me hard, sending me crashing into the corner of a table. A sharp pain shot through my back, and a cold sweat broke out on my skin.
“Maddy just wanted something from you, but you’re acting like a spoiled brat, threatening to leave. Tsk. You’re nothing but a miserly pauper,” Adrian sneered, his words dripping with disdain.
Each word felt like a blow, eroding what was left of my resolve. All I wanted was to escape, to break free from the toxic grasp of the people I once considered family. But the upcoming competition loomed over me, and without my ID, I couldn’t even register.
Seeing my distress, Lauren finally relented, pulling me to my feet with a forced smile that lacked warmth. “Alright, let’s not bring this up again. Maddy just signed up for an expedition activity,” Lauren said. “Why don’t you accompany her? It’ll be good for both of you.”
Madilyn naturally invited me as a gesture of reconciliation, leaving me with no choice but to agree.
“Don’t come near her!”
Tristan’s sudden shout cut through my memories, dragging me back to the harsh reality.
“Leave Aliyah alone!” he yelled, blocking the Monticello family from approaching my lifeless body. “You’re not worthy to touch her!”
As I floated, watching the scene unfold, I was struck by the cold indifference of my family. Lauren’s shock and desperation were palpable as she tried to convince Adrian to come and persuade Tristan to hand over my body. Her voice was laced with urgency, and I could sense her fear of what this scandal might do to their reputation.
“Son, can you come here and convince Tristan to hand over Aliyah's corpse?” Lauren pleaded into her phone.
Adrian’s response was a harsh denial. “What? Aliyah is dead?
