CHAPTER TWO: KAYA Macherson pov

I tried to remember everything that happened today.

If only I had my diary.

Today was the day Dad got into a fight with Damon Moretti and got injured.

Today was the day Damon became the new Mafia boss in my country. He fought Dad and took over everything that once belonged to him.

When I got down from bed, I noticed my diary lying at the edge.

I smiled, picked it up, and flipped through. Everything was there, dated September 30th.

The door suddenly flew open and Cecilia walked in.

“Good morning, Kaya.”

I quickly shut the diary. The memory of her slap and the sting of her betrayal burned through me.

I wanted nothing more than to slap her right back—but not yet. I needed to stay calm.

“Good morning, Cecilia. You didn’t knock before coming in.”

She frowned, confused. “Knock? Since when do I need to knock? You’re my sister, remember?”

“Next time, please knock,” I said, my voice steady.

“You’re acting strange,” she said with a small laugh. “Anyway, I came to borrow your new dress—the one from your company. I’ve got a date tonight, and I think it’ll look great on me.”

Before I could respond, she was already opening my wardrobe. I caught her hand sharply.

“Don’t touch my clothes,” I warned.

Her eyes widened. “What’s gotten into you, Kaya?”

I forced a smile. I couldn’t let her suspect anything.

“Nothing. I’m actually wearing that dress tonight too. I have a date.”

Her jaw dropped. “Wow. You? On a date? Who’s the guy?”

I smiled sweetly. “You’ll find out soon. Now, if you don’t mind, I need privacy.”

She looked curious but left. “Sure. Whatever you say.”

As soon as she left, I sighed. I knew the hospital call would come any minute—Dad had just been rushed into the emergency unit. And this time, I wouldn’t rush there looking like a mess. The other time I had rushed in with my pyjamas and my hair was in a mess.

This time, I’d walk in like the model I once was.

In the bathroom, I stared at my reflection. I missed this body—the smooth skin, the glow. Then it hit me.

Those “vitamins” Cecilia gave me before my wedding… they were never vitamins. They were the reason I’d gotten sick, obese, and covered in rashes.

I would make her pay.

I’d make her swallow her own poison.

And I would find my killer.

My first suspect? Cecilia.

I walked to my wardrobe and pulled out the short green gown my company had gifted me. It shimmered with tiny diamonds and hugged my body perfectly. It was the color of my eyes.

I straightened my blonde hair and smiled at my reflection.

My phone rang—right on cue.

“Hello?”

“Good morning, Miss Macherson. This is Healthy Life Hospital. Your father was admitted this morning.”

“What? Dad? What happened?” I asked, pretending to panic.

“We need a family member’s signature before we can proceed with surgery.”

“I’ll be right there,” I said quickly.

I grabbed my purse and headed for the door—but then I remembered.

The gardener. The other time I noticed the gardener sitting in our living room.

Last time, I’d ignored him. But not today.

I waited quietly at the corner of the hall. Mr. James—the gardener—was sitting there, tapping his foot impatiently. A moment later, Cecilia came down the stairs, looking alarmed.

“What are you doing here? Are you crazy?” she hissed.

James grabbed her by the waist. “After last night, I can’t stop thinking about you. I want you now.”

“James, stop! My sister’s home.”

He sneered. “Sister? You hate her. Who cares what she thinks?”

Cecilia hesitated. That was all it took—he kissed her.

Click. I took a picture.

Perfect blackmail.

I cleared my throat. She pushed him away immediately.

“I’m heading to the hospital. Dad’s been admitted.”

She didn’t even look worried. “Keep me updated—and there’s nothing going on with—”

I cut her off. “I don’t care who you’re with, Cecilia.”

She could rot for all I cared. She could even kiss a rat.

As I drove off, old memories flooded in. I used to worship my father. He and Mom took me in when I was just a lonely orphan. After Mom died giving birth to Cecilia, everything changed. He stopped seeing me as his daughter and poured all his love on her.

When he fell sick years ago, I gave him my kidney. Cecilia could have done it, but I volunteered. It didn’t change anything.

If I’d really gone back in time, I wouldn’t make that mistake again.

And when he kicked me out after Cecilia’s wedding, calling me a “waste of space and an ugly monster,” I finally realized the truth. I was never his real daughter.

Now, as I parked at the hospital, one question burned in my mind—

Could he have sent the assassin that night?

Suspect number two.

I adjusted my purse and walked through the hospital hallway like a model on a runway.

“My father was just admitted,” I told the nurse.

She looked tired. “Room 209.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

She had made the same mistake she made before.

Dad’s room was actually 210. But I wasn’t here for him yet.

It was time to see Damon Moretti