Love In Revenge

Four months earlier,I was at the company’s celebration event the night we signed the biggest deal of the year.Exactly four months before everything fell apart.I still had time.At first, I was confused, overwhelmed by the feeling that I had somehow stepped back into my own past. Then I found myself standing at the edge of the pool, and the confusion cleared instantly.Vivian.My step-sister walked toward me with a drink in her hand, her smile sweet enough to choke on. I knew this moment. I knew what she was about to do. Last time, I had been too trusting and naive. Last time, she had also pushed me into that pool, knowing full well I couldn’t swim.Once a victim, always a victim?Not anymore.I stayed perfectly still as she approached, pretending not to see the way she angled her body to “accidentally” bump me.“You’ve been looking off all evening,” she said in her sugary voice. “Are you okay? Here, I brought us shots.”Her hand extended the glass her other hand ready to shov

Going down the stairs, I paused, catching familiar fragments of Vivian and my stepmother’s conversation.I didn’t need to hear them to know what was being said.“Mom, she’s been acting strange lately. She used to be so easy to manipulate—I don’t know what’s gotten into her.”I slowed my steps, the words lining up too neatly with memories that didn’t belong to this lifetime.Her mother sighed, about to speak, but Vivian cut her off.“And Drake is taking this act of his too far. He knows I’d be angry, and he still knelt for her, right in front of me. Oh, that boy,” Vivian snapped, annoyance sharp in her voice.“She’s been clever lately,” her mother continued, a cold smile curling her lips. “I don’t know what’s come over her, but I’ll keep trying. She’s usually so easy to bend.”“But don’t ruin the plan with this outburst,” she warned sharply. “You’re about to ruin everything, aren’t you?”Vivian clenched her fists.“Why can’t she just leave Drake?!”Her mom voice rose, cracking slightl

“Where is she?”“Room 602. The VVIP room.”Voices overlapped outside the door—sharp, urgent, familiar. Someone argued. Someone demanded answers.My grip tightened on the sheets.So this was what he meant when he said everyone was on their way.“Oh, my baby… are you okay?”My grandmother hurried to my bedside, her hands fluttering as if she didn’t know where to touch me first.“They’ll pay for this,” my father said into his phone, ending the call abruptly. He lowered it slowly, eyes darkening the moment he saw me lying there.“Are you okay, my girl?” he asked, his face tight with worry.“Where’s Adrian?” my stepmother cut in.I turned my head toward her, ignoring the dull throb in my skull.I met her gaze and smiled faintly.“Still breathing,” I said. “Sorry to disappoint.”“Disappoint?” my grandmother echoed, frowning.“She just survived a life-and-death situation,” my father snapped, turning sharply toward Vivian. His hand rested protectively on my head while the other tightened aro

“How are you?” Mr. Peter asked, his gaze sweeping over me as if I might shatter at the slightest movement—careful, assessing, searching for cracks.“Where’s your father?” he continued. “I heard everyone was present.”“There’s an investigation going on,” I replied, shifting higher against the pillows. “They stepped out to give their statements.”The door pushed open before he could respond.My father walked in.“Secretary Peter,” he said without preamble, “did you bring the documents?”“Yes, sir. Everything is complete,” Mr. Peter replied. “Although identifying the individuals behind those blurred faces may prove… challenging.”He paused, then added casually, “And before I forget—our proposal to Starlight Design Limited has—”“Wait!!!”My head snapped up. “Starlight?”The name struck something deep—sharp and sudden.Before anyone could respond, another voice cut through the room.“How are you feeling, Miss Terisa?” the doctor asked, stepping inside. Behind her, a nurse followed, smili

“Hey, little lady,” a voice said, voice amused, already holding me in place.A hand grabbed me just behind the door.I froze.Then I turned.“Mr. Rowan?!”“Thanks for holding her,” Adrian said, panting as he caught up.“W–wait, it’s just a needle,” my dad added between breaths. “You little drama queen.”“Leave me alone!” I yelled, kicking wildly.“It won’t hurt,” the doctor said calmly.Too late.A sharp sting pierced my hand.“AAARRRGHHH!”“She’s killing me! Take it away—TAKE IT AWAY!”“Take it off and I’ll show you exactly how badly I’ve wanted to cut that crazy, unbalanced hairstyle of yours.”"Terisa!"“WHAT?!”I shouted.The room went dead silent.Everyone was staring at me.I suddenly realized something.I didn't feel the sting anymore.My arms were free.I wasn’t being held anymore.“Wait—what…?” I started slowly, turning around.“We’re done,” the nurse said, giving me a look that clearly screamed, Girl, what is wrong with you?Yep. I’m finished, I thought.“You really deserve