Chapter 1

I stared numbly at Mom's body beneath the white sheet. My eyes were too dry for tears.

The doctor looked at me with regret. "It's too late. If she'd gotten here earlier, your mother could have been saved. She was literally scared to death."

I dug my nails into my palms until they bled, consumed with regret. Why had I not left Everett Ashford when I had the chance? All of this could have been avoided.

Since the day I married Everett, Mom had treated him like her own son.

All I did was keep the twins after school. I never kidnapped them. However, he would not listen to a word I said and, in the end, he killed Mom.

After making arrangements for her body, I dragged myself home, exhausted.

In seven days, I would take Mom's ashes back to my hometown. After that, Everett and I would have nothing to do with each other.

He did not come home until the next day.

He ignored my deathly pale face and said coldly, "Stella Quinn, I never thought you'd watch your own mother fall to her death rather than tell me where the twins were. You know they're still in the hospital because of you, right?"

They were still in the hospital. Mom did not even get the chance to make it to one.

My chest tightened with grief. I stared directly at Everett, but all that came out was a hoarse rasp.

Seeing how agitated I was, a flicker of concern crossed his eyes.

"Fine. As long as they're okay, Autumn and I will forgive you. I know taking care of Mom has been hard on you these past few days. In a couple days, I'll take you out somewhere."

He tried to comfort me, reaching out to hold me like he used to. I shoved him away violently.

"No. There's no need to take care of her anymore."

My voice was so hoarse that Everett couldn't make out the words.

He frowned deeply. "Stop throwing a tantrum. This whole thing was your fault to begin with. I won't be coming home for the next few days. I need to stay at the hospital and look after them."

He turned to leave, but just then, his phone rang.

The next second, his eyes turned red. He grabbed my hand in a crushing grip.

"You're coming to the hospital with me!"

Everett didn't care how weak I was. He dragged me all the way there.

I had not even steadied myself when Autumn Roswell rushed at me. She slapped me hard across the face.

I staggered straight into the corner of the wall. That was not enough for her. She lunged at me again, clawing and biting like a wild animal.

Thinking of my dead mother, rage surged through me. I gathered what little strength I had left to fight back.

The next second, Everett yanked me away and let Autumn slap me over and over again. By the time he finally let go, I collapsed on the floor, barely conscious.

Everett looked at me with an unreadable expression. "The twins aren't doing well. Let Autumn get it out of her system."

I forced out a smile. Tears streamed down my face.

Soon, a doctor emerged from the room.

"We need a blood transfusion."