Dalton

—Samantha pov—

Looking just as venomous as I remembered.

She wore a tight, glittering dress far too loud for her age and taste. Her makeup was thick and her jewelry excessive, but her eyes… those cruel, calculating eyes hadn’t aged a day.

“Well,” she said with a smirk, crossing her arms. “You’ve grown into a real woman, I see. Playing dress-up and seducing powerful men. You must be so proud.”

I stood frozen for a second. Not in fear.

But in disgust.

“I didn’t know roaches were invited to this banquet,” I replied calmly.

Her lips twitched, but she chuckled anyway, fake and loud. “Still sharp-tongued. I see nothing’s changed. You may be pretending to be someone important now, but I raised you and your sister, remember?”

That word—raised—sparked something sharp and bitter inside me.

“You didn’t raise me and Gina!” I said coldly. “You locked us away. You worked us to the bone, beat us when we were late, and you let your children mock when we cried. Don’t you dare pretend you ever did anyt