Chapter 4

Serena and her brother never would have been allowed into the Nelson family if Tristan hadn't made a deal for them.

He took the job of wiping out the Charlton family, breaking his own rule against harming women or children.

He betrayed everything he believed in and became the Nelson family's most feared enforcer. In return, the family looked the other way and let Serena in.

Tristan's breath was hot on my face. His eyes were red and wild.

I struggled weakly against his iron grip. My vision kept going black, and every breath hurt.

"Tristan!" Christian's roar brought him back to his senses.

When he saw I could barely breathe, the color drained from his face, and he let go at once.

Christian rushed over to see how badly I was hurt.

I reached for him like a drowning person reaching for a lifeline.

But behind us, a tearful voice called out, "Christian, I twisted my ankle."

Christian stopped. He looked at me, then turned without a moment's hesitation and went to Serena.

Tristan scoffed. "So this is how much Violet means to you."

I watched them rush to Serena, one after another, and finally accepted it. My protectors didn't belong to me anymore.

Vaughn was still crying and pointing at me. "This mean lady was picking on my sister!"

Serena glanced at me, hugged Vaughn, and said in a frightened voice, "I don't want the greenhouse anymore."

That set Christian off. He said firmly, "This place is yours now. I gave it to you. As long as I'm around, you don't have to back down for anyone."

So that was how easily a promise could be broken. We'd once been inseparable, but now I was just "anyone" to him.

I had no energy left for them. Holding my swollen throat, I went to find a doctor.

Christian clamped a hand around my wrist. His voice was low and hard. "Violet, apologize!"

Then he saw I was struggling to breathe and stopped short. For a second, worry and panic crossed his face, emotions I hadn't seen from him in a long time.

But it was too late. I couldn't hold on anymore. Everything went black.

When I woke up, the room was empty. I went to Conrad and told him I was going through with the marriage.

He stopped turning the pages. He looked up at me gently, though he clearly didn't want to let me go.

"If you're really going, the motorcade leaves tomorrow."

I nodded. "I'm sure."

I'd just left the study and reached the upstairs landing when a large hand pulled me into a corner. All three of them were there.

Christian's eyes were locked on me. "What happened before was your fault, and you know it. So why did you go running to Father to get Serena and her brother kicked out?"

I froze. "I went to..."

Tristan snorted. "As petty as you are, why else would you go see the Don?"

Eli didn't say anything, but the accusation in his eyes said enough.

My heart had gone cold long ago. I didn't bother explaining. They'd already decided I was wrong, and nothing I said would change their minds. Besides, I was leaving tomorrow.

I gave a thin smile, my voice so calm it was almost cold. "So what if I did? They started it. And I don't care what you think of me."

All three of their faces darkened at once.

Eli frowned. "I'll talk to the Don and ask him to reconsider."

Christian shook his head. "Violet, you shouldn't take it out on innocent people. I'm really disappointed in you."

I yanked the pendant off my neck and threw it at him. "That's right, I'm just that awful. Now get lost!"

He stood there, frozen.

I smiled, swallowed the blood in my throat, and walked past all three of them.

That night, the motorcade arrived ahead of schedule and waited at the estate gates, its headlights blazing.

Before I got in, Conrad asked, "You're really not going to say goodbye to them?"

I shook my head. "There's no point."

I took one last look at the Nelson estate. It held years of love, resentment, happiness, and grief.

Once I left, I might never come back.

The car slowly pulled away. Conrad stood where he was in silence.

I gave him a little smile. "Take care, Don."