Chapter 4

Kim's POV

Another firework exploded overhead, and the ringing in my ears turned into a roar.

Winona let out a cold laugh. "Didn't catch that? I said, I mixed your mom's ashes with the fireworks. Maybe if you run around fast enough, you'll catch what's left of her."

I heard every single word loud and clear.

I had no idea how, after being starved for five days and barely able to stand, I still managed to lunge at Winona. All I knew in that moment was that I wanted to tear her apart—no, kill her.

She could humiliate me all she wanted. But after indirectly causing Mom's death, she still wouldn't let her rest in peace.

I screamed and howled as my fists came down on Winona again and again. But in reality, I didn't get many hits in before security knocked me out.

When I came to, I was tied to a chair in a warehouse.

Winona was on a video call with Anson and whining in a sugary voice. "It hurts so much. Anson, I really miss you."

"I'll be home as soon as this business trip is over," he said tenderly. "You really are the perfect little housekeeper, getting hurt just to protect the Granger family's reputation. I'll make it up to you when I get back."

She said with a hint of smugness, "You hired me to run the household and lay down some rules. Of course, I have to do my job. As for Mrs. Granger, maybe she had her reasons—"

"Don't even mention her." Anson cut her off impatiently. "What reasons could she possibly have? I turned her from a country girl to a rich wife and gave her a life where she never has to worry about material things. And what does she do? She runs off and drags my family's name through the mud.

"Winona, I'd thank my lucky stars if she were even half as sensible as you. You really do need to teach her a good lesson."

So, he knew. He knew everything, and he truly believed it was all my fault.

Winona hung up and saw the tears on my face. "Oh, you heard all that? Good. Those were Anson's exact words—he told me to teach you a good lesson."

She slapped me hard across the face. Right on cue, several men pushed open the door and walked in.

"Who the hell do you think you are to attack me in front of so many people, Kim? Tonight, I'll show you what true regret feels like!"

The men came closer, each of them holding some kind of weapon in his hands.

I couldn't wrap my head around it. Winona and I were both women. How could she think of so many dirty and cruel methods to use on me?

I had nowhere to run. I could only watch as the men drew nearer, their faces twisted with ugly grins.

Despair swallowed me whole. A fate worse than death awaited me.

If I had another chance, I would never get on that bus. I would never fall in love with Anson.

I slowly closed my eyes and waited for fate to pass judgment. The sounds around me blended into a messy buzz. To my surprise, all that came was the crack of a gunshot.