Chapter 3

The second I said "divorce," Ruby lit up.

Alex clapped. "Finally! The bad lady's giving Dad back to Mom!"

Dad sneered. "She's always been a curse. Kept Brian tied up too long. Divorce him, let him marry your sister, and they can finally be a real family."

Mom stayed quiet, eyes dodging mine.

And yeah—I got the message loud and clear.

I'd been numb to their favoritism for years, but it still burned.

Ruby's eyes went watery. "Shiloh, I'm sorry. I messed up. But Alex needs his dad—"

Brian cut her off, snapping, "Shut up! When did I ever say I'd marry you?"

Ruby froze, face twisting in humiliation.

Brian ignored her, clutching my hand. "Babe, she drugged me. That's the only reason it happened. I begged her to end it, but she wouldn't. Then she vanished.

"When I found out Alex was already here, I freaked—I thought you'd leave me. So when your parents offered to take him in, I said yes.

"I owe Alex, but Ruby and I? There was nothing. I swear."

Ruby broke down, sobbing. "Brian, how could you—"

He cut her off with a vicious kick, knocking her into the snow. "Shut up! Apologize to Shiloh!"

Shaking, Ruby collapsed in the snow. "Shiloh, I'm sorry. I was selfish. I just wanted to help. You can't have kids, and Brian's amazing... I thought one day he'd get sick of you."

Dad jumped in fast.

"She's right. You should be thanking Ruby. If Brian won't leave you, then fine—stay the wife and let Ruby be the other. You're sisters, that way everyone wins."

He gave Brian a grin, then looked at Ruby with concern. "Brian, it's freezing. Don't leave Ruby like that. Help her up."

Alex's voice wavered. "Daddy..."

The ache in my chest cut deep.

So I asked the question that had haunted me forever. "Dad... am I even your daughter?"

His face snapped hard. "Watch your mouth, brat. Everything I do is for you, but you never see it. With that attitude, no wonder your life's a mess."

Mom sighed. "Shiloh, do you have to ruin Christmas Eve for everyone? Say sorry to your dad."

Sorry?

My eyes burned. "What did I even do wrong?"

She started to answer, but Brian jumped in. "Shiloh's right! What did she do wrong? She's the victim. We're the ones who should be apologizing!"

The room went dead quiet.

Brian squeezed my hands, voice shaking. "Baby, please. Believe me. I've only ever loved you."

I stared at him.

I should've screamed, cursed, hated him.

But what was the point?

Once I was gone, they'd still live it up, burning through the money I bled myself dry to make.

That thought alone fed the hatred inside me—like a seed cracking open into something sharp and poisonous.

And with it, a plan began to form.

I pulled one hand free, brushed his face.

He looked at me the way he used to—eyes soft, like he actually loved me.

My tears hit his skin. He cried too, like a dog scared of being left behind.

I gave him a faint smile. "I believe you."

Brian broke down, hugging me tight, mumbling thank-yous over and over.

I shot a glance at Ruby. She glared daggers, jaw tight—but she couldn't do a thing.

Brian promised to take me back to Montedra.

But Alex tugged at his sleeve, voice small. "Daddy... didn't you say you'd spend Christmas Eve with me?"

Guilt flickered across Brian's face. He turned to me. "Alex... he's innocent. What if we stay and celebrate with him first?"

I nodded, calm. "Alright."

He didn't expect me to give in that easily.

"Thank you," he said, relief all over his face. "Thank you for understanding."

But I wasn't being kind. I just didn't care anymore.

Standing outside that window, watching them play happy family, it hit me—

They were already rotting from the inside out.

So I stayed through Christmas week.

Ruby drifted in and out like a stranger.

Dad took Mom and Alex away, claiming they were off visiting relatives.

This was supposed to be my home.

Now they treated me like I was toxic.