Chapter 4

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 slightly. “He’s not even that great! So why are you so obsessed with him?!”

I closed my eyes.

So it was still the same.

Vivian paused, swallowing hard, then spat out the truth.

“Because he’s Teresa’s boyfriend, Mom. 

Everything she has is supposed to be mine. He belongs to me… not her.”

Her mother pulled her close, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“It’s okay, baby,” she murmured.

“You’ll get everything you want.”

“Just be patient. The right time will come.”

And with that they walked out of the stairs her mom holding her hands tightly.

"Wow" I said under my breathe.

I exhaled slowly. Blind. That’s what I’d been.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s gaze lingered on Teresa from the stairs.

“She’ll come to me on her own,” he said calmly to his assistant. 

“No need to approach them yet. And it’s good we didn’t rush that engagement idea with her sister. After what I’ve seen… Vivian isn’t stable. Then again, the entire family is a bit unhinged.”

“You talk like you appreciate Teresa a little more, boss,” the assistant teased. “How do you think she’ll come to you?”

Rowan smirked. “She will".

Back at home after another night of chaos,

I lay staring at the ceiling, counting the cracks in the plaster.

“Tomorrow,” I muttered.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand.

 A message from my step mother lit up the screen.

"Your brother lands by noon. We’ll have the welcome dinner ready".

I let out a slow breath. “Like hell you will,” I whispered.

I rolled onto my side, my chest tightening. 

My fingers curled into the sheets as another sound pushed its way into my head—

“Help! Please—!”

I sat up sharply, heart pounding.

“No,” I said out loud, shaking my head. “Not that place… not again.”

“No… no… no,” I whispered, voice sharp.

 “I’m not letting that happen again.”

I moved to my mirror, pulled out my red lipstick, and stared at my reflection, thinking carefully,  how would they carry there plan out?…

And then it hit me.

“Yes… yes… yes,” I muttered.

Vivian.

Last time, Vivian wasn’t in the car.

She had made an excuse.

Left early.

An hour later—

Boom.

My reflection met my gaze.

“Yes,” I whispered. “That’s it.”

“She leaves. He drives alone.”

A small smile curved my lips. “And history repeats itself.”

Except this time, I’d rewrite it.

Tomorrow was going to be a long day. I needed rest—because I’d be wide awake while tearing their perfect little plan apart.

I stared at my reflection, a dark smile curling my lips.

“They think they’re burying my brother… but tomorrow, I’ll be the one burying their secrets… and their plans.”

Satisfied, I slipped into bed early, letting sleep wash over me.

Grrrrrr!

My alarm dragged me from dreams, sharp and insistent.

My eyes squeezed shut, still heavy with sleep, when a voice suddenly pierced the quiet.

“TERESAAAA!”

I froze. I knew that voice.

“Grandma!” I screamed, springing off the bed and running straight into her arms. “I missed you so much!”

She laughed warmly and hugged me tight. “You little angel. You didn’t even come to visit me all this while.”

“Oh, Grandma, I’ve been so busy,” I said with a pout.

 “That’s the only reason I haven’t run back to eat your delicious food and cakes,” I added.

She chuckled. “Always talking about food.”

“Looking at you acting like a three-year-old again,” my dad added as he walked in.

“Good morning, Dad,” I greeted.

Across the room, Vivian stood silently, her eyes glued to me—burning with envy.

“The preparations for the party,” Grandma said cheerfully. 

“Have you arranged the décor and food?”

“Of course,” I replied smoothly. 

Then, casually, I added, “I’d also like to pick Adrian up from the airport.”

The room froze.

“What??” my stepmother snapped, eyes wide. 

“That’s Vivian’s job! Are you taking it?” My step mom shouted in the room.

“Yes,” Vivian said quickly. “I already planned the time and the driver. You can’t take that from me, Teresa.”

I smiled sweetly.

“Vivian’s been busy with the party anyway,” I said sarcastically. 

“She can handle the food. I’ve been managing that. Let’s switch—it’ll lighten my workload.”

Grandma narrowed her eyes. “You naughty girl. Why the sudden change?”

I took her hand. “Because I miss Adrian. I have things to tell him… alone. It’ll be nice to talk on the way back. Please, Grandma?”

She studied me, then sighed. “Fine. You and Vivian can switch. She won’t mind, will you?”

My stepmother tried to argue.

“If Grandma wants it, it’s settled,” my dad said firmly.

I smiled innocently at them. 

Their faces darkened, and they stormed out.

“Grandma, I’m going to freshen up a bit. I’ll be downstairs soon,” I said, standing to leave.

“Oh, you little rascal,” she laughed.

“Don’t miss me too much,” I added, winking at them both. “Especially you, Dad.”

Just as I turned the corner, Vivian’s voice cracked—loud enough to carry through the hall.

Behind the wall, Vivian broke.

“Mom, I can’t… I can’t deal with her,” Vivian cried, her voice shaking.

 “She’s driving me crazy. I can’t!”

“After everything we planned, she just shows up and ruins it all. I could kill her right now!”

“Relax,” her mother said calmly.

“She’s hard to read lately. I don’t understand what changed. She hasn’t said a word about the scandal. Not even about canceling the engagement.”

There was a pause.

I walked away.

“We’ll deal with her,” her mother continued, her voice turning cold. 

“The right way. At the right time. For now, endure it. Everything will fall into place.”

I let out a small smile as I walked away.

“So they’re patient enough to hide their fangs now,” I whispered. “How thoughtful.”

After getting ready, I grabbed my car keys and headed out.

“I’m going to pick up Drake at the airport. Love you!” I kissed my dad and Grandma on the cheek as I hurried past.

“Drive safe!” my dad called after me.

“I will!” I shouted back, my voice carrying through the morning air.

But just before driving off, a tight feeling settled in my gut.

I stepped out and circled the car slowly, scanning every inch.

Nothing.

Still, the unease wouldn’t fade.

I changed direction.

I drove straight to a mechanic.

“Please run a full check,” I said. “Everything. Even what seems impossible.”

Minutes later, his face drained of color.

“Ma’am…” he hesitated. “There’s a tracker attached to your vehicle. And—” his voice dropped, “—a bomb chip.”

My breath caught. “They’ve been in my car this whole time… without me knowing?”

“This is serious,” he said firmly. “You need to call the police immediately.”

“I will,” I replied calmly. “Thank you.”

I walked out with steady steps, a storm raging inside me.

So this was their backup plan.

I drove away in a different car.