Chapter 2

Early the next morning, Blake got up ahead of time and prepared a full breakfast table himself.

This was one of his usual tactics.

"Helena, come down and eat."

He deliberately sat close beside me.

"Victoria just got back from abroad. She's not familiar with anything yet, which was why I neglected you. I'm free today, so I'll stay home and have a proper meal with you."

As he spoke, he picked up a slice of bacon with his fork and held it to my lips. "Don't be angry. I'll make it up to you for Lily. Whatever you want, I'll buy it for you."

I stared at the bacon, my stomach churning.

He had probably forgotten that bacon was Victoria's favorite.

As for me, after killing too many people, I could no longer stand the sight or smell of meat.

At that moment, Blake's phone rang.

The moment he answered, Victoria's sweet, cloying voice came through. "Blake, look! The puppy really loves the new toy you bought!"

The screen showed a poodle tearing into a rabbit plush.

That was Lily's birthday gift–the one she had begged for three whole months.

Blake had always said he was too busy to buy it.

Even until the day she died, Lily never even got to touch it.

So he was not busy; he had simply bought it for someone else's dog.

Victoria's voice continued, light and cheerful, "Look how happy it is, biting so hard."

I stared at the screen, killing intent rising in my eyes.

Blake noticed my expression and hurriedly ended the call, then quickly explained, "I lost a bet to Victoria again. Her dog's been a little depressed. That toy was just to keep it occupied.

"Oh, don't be so petty, Helena. It's just a toy."

'Just a toy.'

Lily would never play with it again.

As he spoke, he pulled a black card from his wallet and tossed it toward me, his tone casual, almost dismissive, "Buy whatever you want for Lily. Ten, a hundred–it doesn't matter. No limit on the card. Consider it compensation for you both."

I looked at him and laughed.

Then, I slowly reached out and picked up the card.

"That's more like it. Be good–"

Crack! I snapped the card in half and threw it into the trash.

Blake's expression froze, then twisted into fury. "Helena! Don't push your luck!"

He slammed his hand against the table and stood up. "If you've got the nerve, don't spend a single cent of mine. From today onward, you don't get a dime from me."

I ignored his shouting and turned to leave.

Back in my room, I took out an encrypted phone and called my father.

"Father, I'm coming back to Sicily. I'm ready to take over the family."

"Are you sure? Once you return, everything in New York will be gone. Can you let go of that man?"

I did not hesitate. "I can."

There was a long silence on the other end.

"Good. That's my daughter. I'll come for you tomorrow."

After hanging up, I removed my wedding ring–along with everything Blake had ever given me–and threw them into the fireplace.

The flames swallowed everything, turning our past into ash.

'Blake, we're done.'

…

The next morning, the bedroom door was pushed open.

Victoria walked in, holding two cups of steaming coffee.

The smile on her face was no longer timid; it was the smile of a victor.

"Still angry, Helena?"

I ignored her, holding the wooden horse that contained Lily's ashes, staring at my daughter's portrait.

She leaned closer and lowered her voice. "Helena, your daughter died such a miserable death.

"That day? Blake was with me, completely lost in it. I saw your call.

"But I hung up. Then I turned off my phone. Are you angry?"

The next second, her wrist tilted.

Hot coffee splashed out, spilling directly over the portrait.

Lily's smiling face blurred instantly.

"Oh no, my hand slipped."

Victoria covered her mouth in mock surprise, her eyes filled with malicious delight.

The last thread of my restraint snapped.

"You're just itching to die."

I shot to my feet, grabbed her by the throat, and slammed her onto the coffee table.

Bang!

The table shattered, fragments piercing into her back.

Victoria let out a piercing scream.

I gave her no chance to struggle. I pulled the dagger hidden at my waist and raised it, about to sever her fingers.

"You hung up that call, huh? Then you don't need this hand anymore."

Just as the blade was about to fall, the door burst open.

"Stop!"